CULTURE OF THE CAMELLIA. 
331 
that this forcing into wood take place very early in the spring. It is obvious, therefore, 
that Camellias blossoming in April or May, are not eligible ; such, however, are needed in 
some establishments ; hut our business lies with the winter flowerers ; nevertheless the 
same principles will apply to all seasons, a slight allowance being made for the intensity 
of light peculiar to the summer, of which more in our concluding remarks. 
If I were required to select plants, for the future winter’s flowering soon after 
Christmas, I should take those which had blossomed in the course of December ; this 
is a narrow footing, but I give it in the way of illustration. Such, then, having ceased 
blossoming or nearly so, I should remove from the ordinary conservatory or sitting-room 
to a cool pit or frame, or to the shady and cool part of an ordinary greenhouse. And 
why? There is always a trifling amount of exhaustion, consequent on the free blooming of 
the Camellia ; but being a willing plant, and it being Nature’s ordination, as it would seem, 
that the wood-bud for the succeeding year should commence its development close on the 
heels of the flowering process, I endeavour to arrest this excitable character, in order to 
bring up all arrears of root action ; for it must be understood, that although enough of 
reciprocal action has taken place between the leaf and the root, to enable the young bud to 
commence development, yet, in general, the additional energies imparted by a few weeks’ 
partial dormancy are of immense benefit. This is a course I have practised for years, and 
I always find it forces more buds into growth than when hurried into that stage 
immediately on the heels of the flowering. 
I am generally enabled to retard the growing principle by such means for nearly a 
month ; but a very low temperature becomes necessary — 35° to 40° is amply sufficient. 
I have now beeh unwittingly drawn into a discussion of the fifth period, but will again 
revert to the first period, the forcing into wood. 
What pruning is necessary should be performed the moment they have ceased flowering ; 
or, indeed, somewhat before, if possible. The best situation to commence the growing 
process in, would perhaps be a pit, containing a small, yet enduring bottom heat, of about 
75°; not, however, with the idea of plunging them, for I could never discover much 
lasting benefit to the Camellia by this course ; what may be gained by a sudden impulse, 
is more than counteracted by the derangement of the drainage through the earth-worm ; for 
few plants suffer more from a derangement of the drainage than the Camellia, especially if 
liquid manure be frequently used. 
It has not, however, been my practice to use a pit for this purpose : I force the whole 
of my trees at once in the house appropriated to them, and in which they have both 
blossomed and rested. I merely cut off the hot water to effect the resting period, and 
turn it on in full power when the forcing commences. 
A temperature ranging from 60° to 70° is, I consider, the most congenial to the 
forcing process: they will, however, do very well with a temperature of 55° to 60°, 
provided little air is given, and plenty of atmospheric moisture is maintained. To effect 
this I use the syringe freely at least twice a day : indeed, when the wood-buds are swelling, 
I keep the wood almost constantly moist. 
Shading is particularly necessary during this period ; the young buds of the Camellia 
are exceedingly delicate whilst unfolding their tender foliage. I employ a thin canvas, 
which admits a flickering light ; it is probable, however, that our new rough plate glass 
will supersede in a short period the necessity for canvas. 
Watering also is an essential item. The root should be well fed in order to force as 
many buds as possible to develope themselves. I use liquid manure very frequently 
during this stage. I will describe the kind I use, towards the conclusion of this paper. 
Second Period. — Formation of flower-buds. 
Now comes an important period indeed, in the earlier stages of which much nicety of 
management becomes requisite. 
We all know that under ordinary circumstances the Camellia — especially if “ pot- 
bound ” — forms its buds readily enough ; but how often do. we hear complaints of such 
