334 
CULTUEE OF THE CAMELLIA. 
moderation indeed. The buds will continue swelling, and unfold when ripe in the most 
gradual way; and, indeed, on this gradual unfolding much of their size depends. As 
soon as they commence blossoming, all syringing must immediately cease ; still, however, 
a reasonable amount of atmospheric moisture must be kept afloat, yet by no means allowed 
to condense on the leaves. 
Now this is a point not easily accomplished when the dark and frosty days and nights 
of December arrive : if moisture exist in the atmosphere, and fires are used, the vapour 
will ascend, and in ascending come in contact with the glass roof, and this at the low 
temperature consequent on a sharp frost outside, will condense, and fall in drip on the 
plants. 
What then is to be done ? I will describe the practice by which I generally avoid 
the drip. 
In the first place as to moisture. All watering is performed, of course, rather early 
in the morning, say by ten o’clock. I need scarcely observe that, under the circumstances, 
no attempt is made to raise atmospheric moisture ; the most free and ample ventilation 
which the weather will permit is used night and day, and just as much fire applied as will 
sustain a temperature of about 50° max. by day, and 40° to 45° by night. 
The maintenance of so moderate an amount of artificial heat, requires very little fuel, 
and admits of a liberal ventilation even at night. But this is not all, in extreme cases I 
have applied a covering of some kind to the roof, which course, indeed, combined with the 
precautions before-named, is, under the most trying circumstances, a guarantee against 
drip ; which, I need scarcely observe, is fatal to the beauty of the Camellia, causing spots 
all over the blossoms, and indeed inducing premature decay. 
It is well known that a portion of the atmosphere’s moisture in the interior — albeit 
ample ventilation is provided — becomes, in extreme weather, frozen on the inside of the 
glass ; that is to say, when no night covering is used. With a covering, however, and a 
free circulation of air, the vapour is dispersed as it arises, passing off, of course, at the back 
ventilators. 
I have little more to say about the development of the blossom ; I may merely observe, 
that to produce fine flowers, a temperature averaging 55° is requisite; but, nevertheless, 
it becomes necessary to fall back, in extreme cases, to the temperature before quoted ; for 
it is not merely the development of the flowers, but their long continuance in blossom, 
which must engage the attention of the cultivator. 
Having now discussed all the periods with which I set out, I may now beg permission 
to make a few concluding remarks on some general principles, which are applicable in a 
greater or less degree to the Camellia in all stages, and under most circumstances. 
Soils and Potting . 
It may not be generally known, that the almost continual use of liquid manure demands 
even a greater amount of or more perfect drainage than when clear water is used. Good 
drainage, indeed, under all circumstances, is one of the great essentials in the culture 
of the Camellia ; and when the soil is rightly constituted, the water will pass through 
almost the moment it is poured upon it. When the water is observed to hang long on the 
surface of the pot, the plant should immediately be turned out and examined, and if it 
does not require shifting, the crocks or other drainage materials must be re-adjusted. 
The common earth-worm is a great infestor of the Camellia, and the damage they 
cause in the drainage is enormous. 
I never set my Camellias on the ordinary ground— always on a body of coal ashes ; this 
will keep out the worms. 
A little clear lime water may be used if worms are suspected, and the worms must be 
gathered up as they turn out of the soil. 
The compost best suited to this plant, in my opinion, is about three-parts of a fibrous 
mellow loam, rather inclined to adhesiveness, and two-parts fibrous heath soil, which has 
become a sound turf through age. 
These should have been procured twelve months or more, and should be well chopped 
