32 
THE MANUAL OF GARDENING. 
reached us by the way of Europe ; some of these having their 
origin in China; but the larger number being hybrids, or seed- 
lings, produced in France and Britain. The climate of the 
United States appears favourable to the Camellia, and there have 
originated here several truly beautiful varieties ; and from the 
zeal manifested by amateurs, and professional cultivators, others 
may be expected to follow. It is a plant of hardy habit, and 
will sustain a slight frost without serious injury ; but it is 
liable to disease and ultimate death in a green-house, or sitting- 
room, where the temperature greatly varies ; as is frequently ^ 
the case in dwelling-rooms, where the heat is high by day, and 
low at night. Indeed there are few plants more susceptible to 
change, and the buds will from such transitions frequently become 
discoloured, and fall; thus disappointing the hopes of the expec- 
tant cultivator even when the plant itself has apparently sus- 
tained no injury. To render the inflorescence certain and perfect, 
the temperature should be even; varying as near as may be, 
within 45 to 55 degrees of Fahrenheit ; a few degrees either way, 
if the variation be not too sudden, is of no importance. Fresh 
air is also indispensable, and may be admitted, if due care be 
observed, even when the out-door temperature is somewhat 
frosty. Spunging, or what is better, sprinkling the leaves with 
a plant syringe, is of great advantage, not only for appearance 
sake, but to remove- the dust which would otherwise close the 
pores, and impede the healthy inspiration and respiration, which, 
doubtless, are constantly in action through the foliage. « 
The Camellia is liable to the attack of insects, of which, for- 
tunately, none are formidable except that known by gardeners 
as the “red spider;” it is so minute as scarcely to be visible, 
taking up its abode on the under surface of the leaves, from 
which it is only to be dislodged by frequent syringing with soft 
water, and the utmost care in the management of the plant, to 
restore a healthy, vigorous action, the surest way to remove the 
intruder — for it only presumes to introduce itself on plants which 
are in impaired health. Its presence may be detected by those 
not acquainted with it, by observing the flaccid texture of the 
leaves, and by the minute punctures of a brownish hue on their 
lower surface. Camellias are repotted immediately after they 
have ceased to bloom, and before the leaf buds expand ; a portion 
of the old earth should be carefully removed to loosen the fibres 
which may have wound themselves around the circumference of ♦ 
the ball, as well as to make room for a larger quantity of active 
soil, in the pot or vessel to which the plant is about to be trans- 
ferred, and which should be somewhat larger than that from 
which it has just been removed ; but in displacing the earth as 
above directed, the greatest caution is necessary, else the tender 
