"Uonsvicw" Crichton, Ala.^ CAMELLIA SPECIALISTS 
ROBT. O. RUBEL. jR.. PROP. 
Gems From China 
China, rich in flora, has contributed to Europe and America 
vast numbers of our finest exotic flowering plants. Among these 
introductions. Camellias are the most outstanding species of all 
flowering plants. 
The first Camellia plants were brought from China to Europe 
in 1739. Later importations of small plants, sold at very high prices. 
Real interest and enthusiasm in Camellias dates from the im¬ 
portation of the varieties ALBA PLENA and the Double striped 
plants by Capt. Connor of the East India Co., for John Slater, 
Esq., in England, 1792. 
Two years later a double red was imported from China by Sir 
Robt. Prqston. 
No additional importations were made until 1806 when Sir 
Abraham Hume secured from China the well known Camellia named 
in honor of his wife, LADY HUME’S BLUSH and a variety called 
WARATAH. By 1812, Camellias began to excite attention of 
every cultivator, and new varieties were eagerly sought after. 
Cross pollenization of single and semi-double sorts by European 
nurserymen resulted in developing many new seedlings of merit. 
The June, 1818, edition Botanical Cabinet, published in London, 
states: 
“There can hardly be a grander sight in nature than a large house full 
of these beautiful plants when in bloom. We have sometimes had upward 
of twenty thousand flowers of the different varieties all open at once. They 
continue for a considerable time, especially if shaded a little from the sun.” 
“Twelve distinct sorts are at present cultivated in this country. They 
have all been originally imported from CHINA, where it is said that several 
more kinds exist.” 
A year later, Samuel Curtis wrote the first monograph on the genus 
Camellia, describing twenty-five named varieties. Four other varietie.s 
imported from CHINA by Capt. Rawes for a Mr. Palmer had not yet flowered, 
and judging by their foliage, it was thought they were distinct sorts. 
Curtis goes on to state that Camellias, (Tsubaki vulgo) also grow wild 
in Japan, but: 
“The Japanese, having no commercial intercourse with other countries, 
and being restricted by their rulers from leaving (their islands), dedicate 
most of their time to the cultivation of the earth, etc.” 
The LADIES MAGAZINE OF GARDENING, by Mrs. Loudon, published 
in London, 1842, states in part: 
“Several other varieties of Camellias have been imported from China, and 
above a thousand others have originated in EUROPE.” 
By the time Commodore M. C. Perry, United States Navy, forcibly made 
the Japanese sign a treaty for commercial intercourse, March 31, 1854, 
European and American horticulturists had produced, by cross pollenization 
of the few original importations from CHINA, every conceivable form, color, 
color combination and type of Camellia flower. 
To CHINA, land of mystic, oriental culture, science and invention that 
anti-date Christianity, we are indebted for the most beautiful of all flowers 
known to commerce. 
To the flower lover, when the fever of collecting Camellias “gets you”, 
it is worse than the most violent case of philately or antique collecting. 
Their bewitchingly lovely flowers in numerous coloi 
combinations, various forms, and almost countless varietiej 
will excite your admiration. 
Life begins when you learn the beauty and fascinatior 
of growing these fine floricultural gems of China. 
And when you grow LONGVIEW Camellias, you’ll 
have an incomparable sense of satisfaction ... the knowledge 
you have obtained varieties that have achieved recognitior 
as the most beautiful sorts in commerce. 
KOCHOW, KWONGTUNG. CHINA — 
■’I am enclosing order for Camellias. 
'I’hey are great favorites with the Chinese 
who raise them in puts, even plants five 
and six feet high. In this locality I have 
noticed only several varieties, but I was 
in one garden ne'er here, when the plants 
were not in bloom, and there were more 
than a hundred plants of all sizes. 
A year later this same customer writes: 
“The Camellias I ordered from you before 
I left here came while I was away and 
two of them bloomed this season. 
"I have been around to several gardens. 
They, of course, grow everything In pots. 
Camellias are favorite fiowers with ths 
Chinese, and even the elegant gentlemen, 
who ordinarily would not soil his hands 
with anything like labor will take cars 
of a Camellia plant.” 
