
DEBUTANTE 
Sarah C. Hastie 
CAMELLIAS 
The Loveliest Flower of the South 
\ \ THEN merchantmen and explorers were 
sailing the seven seas some two centuries 
ago, they brought home not only spices, 
silks and china, but many rare plants as well. 
Not the least of these was the lovely Camellia 
or “Japonica” as we call it, which, like many 
another plant treasure, came from China. For 
decades the Japonicas grew in Southern gardens, 
where they were held in great favor. Then they 
waned in popularity for a while, and were almost 
forgotten. 
Camellias should be in every Southern garden, 
for here the soil and climate are ideal for them. 
In the North they have to be grown in glass- 
houses because of the severe winters. 

Tallahassee, Florida 2 
