Docember 1, :907~ 
The Camellia, its Cultura, &c, 
The Camellia, named afier Camellus, a 
Moravian J suit, first introduced feom 
China as ©, japonica and C. anemoniflora 
(the old red Warateh) abont the year 
1739, is closely related to the Vea plant ; 
indeed, it is said the leaves of C. sasanqua 
(Lady Bank’s Sasan) are used in China 
to mix with some of the select kinds of 
tea. As a result of inter-crossing our 
home florists have added many hundred 
improved varieties to those introduced ~ 
originally. Camellias thrive perfectly in 
China, blooming freely between October 
and the following May, aud are not so 
susceptible to frost as is generally sup 
posed; indeed, the sinyle-flowered var- 
jeties succeed trained against north aspect 
walls. Notwithstanding their comparative 
hardihood, the very best hybrid, double- 
flowered varieties do not bloom well, 
though laden with flower buds, in a too 
cold, damp gieenhouse, excess of at- 
mospheric moisture within which rots 
the buds of some. The lowest winter 
*temperature in such places should be 
between 35 and 45 degrees. Enduring as 
these plants appear to be—apart from 
occasionally shedding their flower buds— 
one fact must not be lost sight of, ic. 
that they only thrive well in a light, open 
compost, comprising equal parts of peat 
and fibrous loam,.with somewhat liberal 
addltions of siiver sand, rotten cow dung, 
A PRETTY FERNERY GROTTO 
and nodules of charcoal, over efficient 
drainage. If potted somewhat firmly, 
their compacatively large roots soon take 
possession. and with sufficient waterings, 
with manure water, occasionally at the 
growing season they retain good health 
and bloom freely for from three to four 
years withont repotting, though an annual 
mulching with fresh rich soil over the 
roots is beneficial. The best time to re- 
-pot them is either just as they begin 
growing, cr immediately the tender young 
shoots attain to their full length, and 
growth is improved by giving them a 
little extra warmth, bottom heat in par- 
ticnlar, with overhead syringings It is 
all-impartint to turn them ont of doors 
immediately the young growths attain to 
their full length. They are propagated 
by in-arching and grafting upon the single 
flowered, also y cuttings inserted firmly 
in sand in March or April, set in a shady 
clese frame, and after a few weeks taken 
and plunged in bottom heat. 
The most indispensable essential con 
dition in lilies prior to subjecting them 
to forcing is that of sufficient root forma- 
tion. It is well nigh useless to expect 
lilies to force satisfactorily if they are 
removed from outdoors into heat before 
they have made considerable progress in 
the task of filling the soil in the pots 
with roots, ; 
17 
South Australian Honey. 
After a preliminary failure the Com- 
mercial Agent (Mr. A. E. M. Norton) has 
met with success in the distribution of 
Sonth Australian honey in London (says. 
the Journal of Agriculture), In a letter 
dated September 27 he reports :—The 
whole shipment of honey ex s.s. Orient is 
practically all distributed, and it is now 
only a question of waiting to see how the 
repeat orders come in rom a conver- 
sation I had with Mr. Sainsbury, and also 
with some of his managers, I do not think 
there i3 any doubt whatever about its 
being a success. Mr. Sainsbury has very _ 
considerahly gone out of his way to intro- 
duce it, as is evidenced by the fact that 
he is giving his assistants 4d, a bottle 
upon all they sell. This, I think, will do 
more for us than any other mode of ads 
vertisemant.’? This honey is distributed, 
in glass jars, containing 1 lb each, at 6d. 
per jar, and it is expected that the pricc 
to the apiarists will be 25d. per lb., f.o.h., 
Port Adelaide. This is slightly above the 
loeal market rate, and even if a higher 
price could be obtained in Adelaide it 
would be better in the long run for the 
apiarists to keep up the london supply. 
and maintain the hold which they have ~ 
already onthe London market. The Com- 
mercial Agent.has cabled for a monthly 
supply of at least 7 tons, and the bee- 
_» keepers have undertaken to supply this, — 
