Plate 147. 
CAMELLIA, DUCHESSE DE BEREI. 
In the hope of inducing growers of the Camellia to bring 
forward some of the many tine specimens of this favourite 
flower which are known to exist in the neighbourhood of 
London, the Royal Horticultural Society offered a prize of 
ten guineas, at their exhibition in March last; and although 
some disappointment was experienced, from the fact that they 
did not reach that ideal which has been formed concerning 
them, yet some fine plants were staged, and some excellent 
new varieties exhibited. There was a deficiency of bloom ge¬ 
nerally, hut this was owing not to indifferent culture, hut to the 
unfavourable nature of the season last year. The dull and 
sunless weather that pervaded prevented the plants from set¬ 
ting their buds, and hence blooms were scarce; for there are 
influences against which the best and most careful cultivation 
are unavailing. 
The culture of the Camellia is by no means difficult, although, 
as with every flower, care is required, and attention to minutice 
meets its reward; it is quite needful that a close and warm 
place should be at hand to place them in, when starting into 
growth, where they can at the same time be shaded from the 
influence of the sun-rays and be frequently syringed. When 
they have made their growth, care is also needed that when 
placed out of doors, they are secured from the intrusion of 
worms into the pots, which by deranging the drainage and bur¬ 
rowing into the soil sodden it, and ensure thereby disease, 
while at all times the watering should be most carefully watched; 
especially should it be so when the buds are formed and begin 
to swell, for either excess or deficiency is apt to cause them to 
fall off. Yet, with all this, we have seen Camellias doing well, 
