312 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 23. 
Although we are convinced that the Chinese Yam 
will never supersede the Potato, yet we recommend it to 
be tried as its auxiliary. If it proves suitable to our 
climate, it will add to the variety of our culinary 
vegetable stores. It is, indeed, a store crop, for it is 
said to remain fit for use during full twelve months. 
The Prize offered by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society 
for the best Essay on “Fattening Poultry” has been 
awarded to Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier. 
THE CAMELLIA. 
So much has been said about this noble flower at one 
period or other, that it requires what is termed “ pluck 
to approach the subject. Still we must consider tiio 
propriety of addressing new readers, as well as of re¬ 
minding, occasionally, our old friends. 
Our Camellias here (Oulton Park), are at this time, 
January the 6th, exceedingly fine, the flowers never so 
large before, and we have had them very fine for years. 
We have the C. Eossii eighteen inches in circumference; 
the Elegans, seventeen and-a-half inches; Althaaflora, 
fifteen inches; and even Donclcelaeri, which is not 
usually a large flower, fifteen inches. The plants are 
covered with buds of enormous size, perhaps scarcely 
a shoot but is studded, and in another week or so we 
shall have hundreds out, to all appearance; the foliage, 
too, of the deepest glossy green. And to what is this 
attributable ? Not to what is termed pot-room, cer¬ 
tainly, for we are no great advocates for big pots for [ 
Camellias. It is to the use of turfy soil, to the almost 
constant use of liquid-manure, and to the preservation 
of, perhaps, an unusual amount of air-moisture. We 
also use a very considerable amount of water to the 
roots, perhaps more than most cultivators, but as the 
quantity to be used depends so much on the roots, the 
constitution of the soil, and the drainage, we must 
again refer to that part of the affair. 
It must not be inferred, from these remarks, that we 
continue to use, unguardedly, so great an amount of air- 
moisture when they are in blossom, and in the dead of 
winter. We do use a little constantly, even then, but it 
is ever accompanied by some degree of ventilation. 
The quantity and frequent application of liquid- 
manure, which Camellias in a healthy state, rather 
“ pot bound,” and full of bud, will enjoy, is amazing; 
they are a match for Roses, or, indeed, any other plant, 
in this respect. But we always use it perfectly clear 
and weak. I really cannot say with precision what 
the rate of guano per gallon is, but should imagine it 
about one ounce; this will appear a small quantity to 
some, but then, as before observed, we seldom use water 
alone, from the time the blossom-buds are as large as 
Peas, until they have done making wood. 1 have never 
found anything better in this way than good Peruvian. 
I have tried soot, dunghill-liquor, soap-suds, &c„ but 
they are not alone rather more difficult of application, 
but not so certain in the result required. Soot, however, 
may be used, and with benefit, if necessary; and in that 
case, I should say that two parts soot to one of guano 
would be good. Soap suds I have a decided objection 
to ; they not only produce an unsightly appearance, but 
they are quite at variance with our fundamental prin¬ 
ciple of high culture, by partially closing the pores of 
the soil, for they always leavo a scum or skin behind : 
otherwise, there is no doubt about their possessing 
mnnurial qualities. Soap-suds appear to me as fitter 
for manure-heaps, or to apply to growing crops just 
before a hoeing or other cultural appliance. 
Butin the use of very fibrous soil, as being so durable 
in texture, and less likely to derange the drainage, I 
place very much stress. I have been so particular as 
to this with mine, that after being chopped roughly I 
have riddled it, rejecting all the fine soil which came 
through the riddle, and after drying the lumps, have 
shaken them once more iu the riddle; thus leaving a 
great amount of organic matter in a very porous con¬ 
dition. In the act of repotting, these lumps are 
crammed in tightly as the potting proceeds; but be it 
observed, they are in a dryish state, or the tight cram¬ 
ming could not be recommended. 
I may here observe, that this porous character of 
material, together with the most secure drainage, have 
been found particularly requisite, as connected with 
the liquid-manure, the object of which is to sustain 
annually the greatest amount of the finest blossoms, 
with the noblest character of foliage. The pots or tubs 
should be so drained, as that no sediment can possibly 
insinuate itself amongst the drainage; and must be also 
durable in character, according to the size of the shift, 
inasmuch, as the larger the shift, the greater is the 
probability of the tree remaining in the pot or tub. 
1 have known several cases of such a derangement of 
drainage as would cause the water, when applied, to 
stand on the surface of the soil for half-an-hour after 
being applied, and unless speedy relief was given, the 
sure consequences always were, the whole plant becoming 
pale in the foliage, and accompanied by a kind of veget¬ 
able emaciation. 
It is amusing to see the speedy and equal passing 
of moisture through the soil of plants potted on the 
principles here recommended, as compared with those 
iu which the soil has become soured. The water, 
[ applied ever so copiously, disappears in a few seconds, 
and its mode of vanishing, like the famous dissolving 
views, is so stealthy, that you seem surprised at behold¬ 
ing naked soil, which was a moment before a sheet of 
water. To some this may seem making a great deal 
out of a small matter, and if the principle began and 
ended with the Camellia, I would confess to it; but I 
stay for a moment to observe, that so small an affair 
may point to great matters, as concerns the cultivation 
of the soil of our broad and fertile acres. Does it not 
point to the immense importance of organic matter in 
the soil; as also to the benefits derivable from high 
cultural processes as to the free and equal transmission 
of moisture? 
But to return; let me remind our readers who desire 
to shine in winter Camellias, of the great importance of 
forcing them into growth the season previous to forcing 
them; although this, if properly carried out, puts them 
in a position to require little or no forcing. Hurrying 
them into growth causes such an off-hand development 
of the parts, such a speedy expenditure of the forces of 
the tree already stored up, that no after tendency exists 
for a second growth, to anomalous formations, or to 
barrenness. The growth completed by about the end 
of May, a long period remains for the proper formation 
of the blossom-bud, and I have always found that the 
steadier this process proceeds, the bolder and better- 
coloured will be the flower, and the more certain and 
easy the development of its parts. 
During the blossoming period, no vapour should be 
permitted to condense on the blossoms; their purity and 
endurance would be much injured thereby. I have a 
tall tree of G. Rnssii, which last year continued in 
blossom from the beginning of November until the end 
of February, or even longer. This shows how long the 
blossoms may bo continued on one tree only. The same 
tree is now in full bloom, and has a score or more of 
wliat I must call monsters, in proportion, nud I think 
that lor size, most of them would be at least sixteen 
inches in circumference. I have a small fire night and 
