February 19, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
153 
pot 6 inches in diameter. This Masdevallia succeeds under the same 
culture as the majority of other species, requiring very little artificial 
heat at any time. A constant supply of moisture is, however, essen'iil 
without any approach to stagnation, which is almost as injurious as 
drought. A compost of fresh sphagnum moss and peat suits the plant, 
with thorough drainage and a cool moist position in the home. 
THE CAMELLIA AND ITS CULTURE. 
It will, I think, be readily admitted that Camellias are amongst the 
most serviceable and beautiful of all greenhouse flowering plants, and it 
of success in the production of specimens. By forcing I mean an attempt 
to induce rapid growth by means of large shifts, rich composts, and stimu¬ 
lating manure. It is remarkable in what a small quantity of soil a 
Camellia will live and even thrive, and the constant aim should be to 
secure a good head of foliage in a small pot. If this be secured at an 
early stage of growth the after work will be comparatively easy. Let me, 
therefore, preface what observations I have to offer upon the culture of 
the Camellia by asking a question—namely. What argument can be intro¬ 
duced which will show the advantage of firm potting and the employment 
of small pots 1 The verj r fact of firm soil lessening the necessity of using 
so much compost is in itself advantageous because economical ; but,, 
further, what is the use of food if it is not consumed ? It is quite certain 
that a great quantity of food in large loosely potted plants is never ap- 
has been well pointed out that if the Rose has many claims to he consi- I 
dered the queen of summer flowers outdoors, the Camellia has also many 
qualities which claim for it the premier position amongst winter flowers 
under glas a . I can fully corroborate all that has been said in that respect, 
and it is to be regretted that well-grown plants are comparatively rare in 
this country—a circumstance the more remarkable inasmuch as from the 
length of time the plant has been under cultivation, and its recognised 
decorative value, even the most minute details respecting its management 
might have been familiar to every plant-grower. This does not, however, 
appear to be the case. Some collections planted out are satisfactoiy, but 
specially good culture in pots or tubs is rarely seen. 
The Camellia, although one of the simplest plants to grow, dislikes 
forcing, and to this peculiarity I attribute in a great measure the want 
propriated ; what, then, becomes of it ? The roots will never find it'; 
first, because much of it is washed away, and, secondly, because when 
loosely potted the soil is never permeated with fibrous roots. For the 
multiplication of fibrous roots there must be a resisting medium. An ex¬ 
amination of the roots of almost any plant in a pot will show this. 
Examine those lightly potted plants, and a limited number will be very 
apparent working from the centre straight to the pot. The great bulk of 
the soil in the interior will be for a long time unoccupied with fibres, and 
in the meantime the virtues of the soil are being washed away, it is not 
until the roots reach the sides of the pot that they produce fibres for ab¬ 
sorbing nutriment from the soil. In time several of these small foraging 
roots will find their way into the centre of the soil, but they always appear 
reluctant to leave the sides of the pot. In firm soil the roots are very 
