Camellia Japonica. — Grafting should be done in August and September, and inarching in July. The cuttings may be started under glass. Care must always be observed in watering, as too much or too little water will cause the buds to drop, and the tem- perature must remain even, and there be no sudden change of an}- kind, or the result would be the same. Water thoroughly, and turn all water from the saucer, as they are very sensitive, and sour soil is always sure death. The leaves must be sponged frequently. In its native woods the camellia grows in moist, shady localities; therefore do not put it in the sun, and, if the buds are thick, pick off the small, weak ones, that the blossoms may not crowd each other. Never touch the buds, as they blast so easily, and do not sprinkle when in bud, but apply the water to the soil and sponge the leaves if necessary. If your leaves are spotted, it was causea by sprinkling when the sun was on them ; care must be here exercised also. They need but little heat or sun, and why they are not more generally cultivated in window gardens is not understood. They are usually expensi\e, but not more so than many other plants. They will die if you give too rich a soil. There are several of the evergreen shrubby varieties which do well in the dry air of our living rooms. One of the best is what is known as Piltisporuin tohira Chinensis ; it has a beautiful glossy, dark color, rich foliage. Preserving Autumn Leaves. — Autumn leaves are used in various methods, the most popular being, perhaps, to dry them flatly and care- fully, and take great care to preserve their stalks. When thoroughly dry, they are varnished with "Canada balsam varnish," which gives them a pretty gloss, and also acts as a preservative to them from all insects and moths. After this they are carefully laid aside for the decora- 284 THE hearthstone; or, life at home, tion of the winter dinner-table, and may be most safely preserved in a tin box, with a well-fitting cover. Grasses added to them are very effective, and when dry they may be dyed at home with Judson's dyes. They may be also frosted when dry, by dipping each stalk into a solution of alum, and leaving them to dry upright. With the glasses and leaves may be used the dried everlasting flowers and the prepared moss ; however, no little taste is needed in their arrange- ment to avoid the least heaviness of effect. Grass vases and stands are the most effective for their arrangement, as the transparency of these increases the wished-for lightness and grace. Another way of using the dried leaves is for the ornamentation of tables, blotting- books, or boxes. Old cigar boxes, when painted black, are very favorite articles for decoration; but now we know the value of var- nished unpainted wood. Many people will prefer the effect of the cigar boxes unpainted, with the unvarnished leaves gummed on, and the box and leaves varnished afterward. If, however, a black ground be especially desired, use " Brunswick black," to stain the wood, or " Brunswick black " and turpentine mixed, to make a rich-looking brown grounding. Then gum on the leaves in a central group, be- ing careful to cut away, with a sharp pair of scissors, all the under parts of the leaves which will be hidden by others above, as too many thicknesses of leaf will make an uneven surface, and give an ugly appearance to the work when fi

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Camellia Japonica. — Grafting should be done in August and September, and inarching in July. The cuttings may be started under glass. Care must always be observed in watering, as too much or too little water will cause the buds to drop, and the temperature must remain even, and there be no sudden change of an}- kind, or the result would be the same. Water thoroughly, and turn all water from the saucer, as they are very sensitive, and sour soil is always sure death. The leaves must be sponged frequently. In its native woods the camellia grows in moist, shady localities; therefore do not put it in the sun, and, if the buds are thick, pick off the small, weak ones, that the blossoms may not crowd each other. Never touch the buds, as they blast so easily, and do not sprinkle when in bud, but apply the water to the soil and sponge the leaves if necessary. If your leaves are spotted, it was caused by sprinkling when the sun was on them ; care must be here exercised also. They need but little heat or sun, and why they are not more generally cultivated in window gardens is not understood. They are usually expensive, but not more so than many other plants. They will die if you give too rich a soil. There are several of the evergreen shrubby varieties which do well in the dry air of our living rooms. One of the best is what is known as Pittosporum tobira Chinensis ; it has a beautiful glossy, dark color, rich foliage. Preserving Autumn Leaves. — Autumn leaves are used in various methods, the most popular being, perhaps, to dry them flatly and carefully, and take great care to preserve their stalks. When thoroughly dry, they are varnished with "Canada balsam varnish," which gives them a pretty gloss, and also acts as a preservative to them from all insects and moths. After this they are carefully laid aside for the decora- 284 THE hearthstone; or, life at home, tion of the winter dinner-table, and may be most safely preserved in a tin box, with a well-fitting cover. Grasses added to them are very effective, and when dry they may be dyed at home with Judson's dyes. They may be also frosted when dry, by dipping each stalk into a solution of alum, and leaving them to dry upright. With the glasses and leaves may be used the dried everlasting flowers and the prepared moss ; however, no little taste is needed in their arrangement to avoid the least heaviness of effect. Grass vases and stands are the most effective for their arrangement, as the transparency of these increases the wished-for lightness and grace. Another way of using the dried leaves is for the ornamentation of tables, blottingbooks, or boxes. Old cigar boxes, when painted black, are very favorite articles for decoration; but now we know the value of varnished unpainted wood. Many people will prefer the effect of the cigar boxes unpainted, with the unvarnished leaves gummed on, and the box and leaves varnished afterward. If, however, a black ground be especially desired, use " Brunswick black," to stain the wood, or " Brunswick black " and turpentine mixed, to make a rich-looking brown grounding. Then gum on the leaves in a central group, being careful to cut away, with a sharp pair of scissors, all the under parts of the leaves which will be hidden by others above, as too many thicknesses of leaf will make an uneven surface, and give an ugly appearance to the work when fi

The hearthstone; or, Life at home