Alba simplex. Aitonia. Anemonitlora. -Rosea.

- Alba.

Atrorubens. Bruceana.

Corallina.

Conchaflora.

Celestina.

Carnea.

Decora.

Dorsetia.

Elphinstonia.

Francofurtensis.

Florida.

Goussonia.

Hendersonia.

Juliana.

Lawrenceana.

Oleafera.

Parksii.

Pendula.

Paeoniaflora.

Rosa Sinensis.

Rosa mundi.

Sabina.

Woodsii.

Soil

The camellia delights in a rich soil, but will not bear manure directly applied. The following is the compost used at the Landreth Nurseries - sandy wood earth (the decomposed vegetable matter found at the roots of trees in forests) and well rotted sod, or loam, in equal parts, thoroughly mixed, and passed through a No. 1 sieve, retaining all the fibrous particles in the soil.

Propagation

"The usual methods of propagation are by inarching or grafting and budding on the single red Camellia, cuttings of which are found to strike root more readily than of the double varieties.

"The cuttings are taken in July and August, or as soon as the young shoots are sufficiently ripe at the base. They are carefully prepared by being cut smoothly over with a sharp knife at a joint, and divested of one or two leaves at the bottom, and then planted firmly about two inches deep in pots half filled with the Camellia compost before described, and the upper half with fine white sand. They are then well watered, and the pots plunged in a tanbed, which I gives out a gentle warmth, and kept closely shaded for three or four months, by which time short fibres, or a callus from which they afterwards diverge, are produced.

"When sufficiently rooted to bear removal, they are potted singly in small pots, the sand being then carefully removed; the pots should be well drained and filled with the Camellia compost, with the addition of a little white sand.

"They are afterwards to be sprinkled with water, and placed in a close frame or pit until they begin to root afresh, and by degrees exposed to the air. The succeeding season they may be potted in the same soil as the other Camellias, and similarly treated, and many of the plants will then have attained sufficient size and strength for inarching or budding, and all of them by the following season.

"The best time for inarching is early in the spring, just before the plants begin to grow, and for budding as soon as the new wood is sufficiently ripened; but it may be done at almost any season of the year." - Gard. Chron.

Culture

The same authorities state that, "The proper season for the general shifting is when the young growth has hardened, and the blossom buds for next year can be detected at the extremity of the shoots.

"After shifting all those that require it, they may be placed in the open air, or retained in the green-house; as much air as possible should be admitted, and occasionally sprinkling the foliage will improve the appearance, as well as be beneficial to the health of the plants.

"At all times attention must be paid to watering them properly, the roots being apt to become matted in the pots, so as to render the ball of earth impervious to moisture; hence it is necessary to see that the ball of earth is moistened by the water poured upon it, instead of the web of fibres only. This renders an examination of the roots, or reducing and replanting them at least once a year, a measure almost indispensable.

"At the respective periods of growth and flowering, the plants will require plentiful watering; during the latter, if not regularly supplied, the bloom-buds will infallibly fall off, instead of expanding into flower; at other times a regular moderate supply is essential. The effect of constant watering may be presumed to diminish or destroy the fertility of the small quantity of earth allotted to each plant, therefore when the annual re-potting occurs, carefully take away as much of the former ball of earth as can be done without injuring or cutting the roots. The Camellia may be considered as a hardy greenhouse plant, requiring only a slight protection in severe weather, like the Myrtle; and if the plants are kept just above the freezing-point, they will succeed much better than when grown in a high temperature.

"At the time they are making their growth, an increase of heat will be advantageous." - Gard. Chron.