THE MANUAL OF GARDENING. 
33 
fibres may be bruised, and disease ensue. Formerly, (and at 
the present day by some cultivators,) they were kept in small 
vessels, the roots cramped and confined, under a mistaken notion 
that much earth and “ elbow room” were prejudicial ; experience 
has proved the error, and the finest and most healthy plants are 
in collections where reasonable space is given. Before filling in 
the earth, the bottom of the pot should be covered to- an inch or 
more in depth, with pieces of pots or very coarse gravel to act as 
a drain, it being of the first importance that water should never 
stagnate. Immediately after the plant has been repotted, it 
should be well watered and placed where it will not be exposed 
to a current of air. 
The Camellia is fond of shade and moisture, but there is little 
doubt that the complaint made of difficulty in its management, 
arises from over anxiety, and, as one result, oft-repeated and ex- 
cessive watering. A neglect to water is also attended with dis- 
aster, as it likes constant humidity, but to a moderate extent only, 
therefore, we repeat, it should never be surcharged with water. 
In winter the morning has been recommended as the more fa- 
vourable time to water, and in summer the evening. During the 
warm months place them in rather a damp situation, where they 
will be shielded from the sun during the heat, and it may be the 
greater portion of the day ; syringe them regularly, and at inter- 
vals of two or three days, which will greatly improve their ap- 
pearance and promote health. The soil in which they thrive 
well, is a mixture or compost of light loam, (created by decom- 
posed sod or turf,) fresh decayed leaves and fresh-water sand, 
about equal portions of loam and leaf mould, and a small quantum 
of sand are the preparations. The varieties are far too numerous 
to describe in a work of such limited extent as this, but we an- 
nex short descriptions of a few select kinds. In conclusion we 
may observe, that the Camellia has been pronounced “ the most 
beautiful conquest” (in allusion to the varieties produced by art) 
“ which horticulture has achieved during the last century. The 
magnificent form and appearance of the shrub, the rare elegance 
of its foliage, the beauty and size of the flowers, the season when 
they appear, their variety, their abundance, and their duration, 
are qualities which no other vegetable possesses in such an emi- 
nent degree.” Philadelphia has ever been, since the introduc- 
tion of this plant into America, its centre of attraction. Here, 
it is beyond question, larger numbers exist than may be found in 
any other spot, indeed we had nearly written in all other portions 
of the Union combined ; independent of many superb private col- 
lections ; the green-houses of Carr, Land reth & Fulton, Buist, 
Ritchie & Dick, McKenzie, Dryburg and others, contain many 
thousands in all stages of their growth, and happily, at prices 
