A Non·Profit Organization

Volume 5, No.2 OFFICIAL BULLETIN February, 1952-.

Photograph Courtesy Herbert V. Mitchell, Walnut Creek. 2 Northern California Camellia Society, Inc.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CAMELLIA SOCIETY. INC. ROSTER OF OFFICERS PRESIDENT: SECRETARY: Barlow W. S. Hollingshead (Orinda 2054) Bruce Harless (LA 5-8218) 12 La Cintilla Ave., Orinda 2 1301 Stannage Ave., Berkeley VICE PRESIDENT: DIRECTORS: John Paul Edwards (GL 1-1854) Fred E. Heitman, D.D.S. (Orinda 2177) 1347 Trestle Glen Road, Oakland 5833 Patton St.. Oakland 18 Gordon W. Richmond, M.D. (Beacon 2-1576) TREASURER: 475 Mount St.. Richmond Woodford Harrison (LA 4-4671) Walker M. Wells, M.D. (HU 3-0951) 910 Oxford St., Berkeley 133 Hagar St., Piedmont BULLETIN EDITOR: MEMBERSHIP: Mrs. Barlow Hollingshead (Orinda 2054) Harold B. Parks (Walnut Creek 6406) 12 La Cintilla Ave., Orinda 2 990 Pleasant Hills Rd., Walnut Creek NOMENCLATURE AND CLASSIFICATION: COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN: Barlow Hollingshead (Orinda 2054) ARRANGEMENTS: 12 La Cintilla Ave., Orinda 2 Mrs. Carl B. Bowen (GL 1-0979) 225 Montecito Ave.. Oakland PROGRAM: Fred E. Heitman, D.D.S. (Orinda 2177) BLOOM DISPLAY: 5833 Patton St., Oakland 18 Donald K. Staples (KE 4-4937) 2811 Morcom Ave., Oakland 2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Wilson Footer, M.D. PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM: 2828 Summit St., Oakland 9 Walter N. Powell (OL 3-1586) SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: 423 - 60th St., Oakland 9 John J. Kampschroer CULTURAL EXPERIMENTATION: 1115 Wellington St., Oakland 2 David L. Feathers .(Orinda 2171) ANNUAL CAMELLIA SHOW I Camellia Lane, Lafayette I EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: HOSTESS: Barlow Hollingshead (Orinda 2054) Mrs. John J. Kampschroer John Paul Edwards (GL 1-1854) 1115 Wellington St., Oakland 2 David L. Feathers (Orinda 2171) LAKESIDE PARK CAMELLIA GARDEN: Fred E. Heitman, D.D.S. (Orinda 2177) O. E. Hopfer (AN 1-5737) Harold L. Paige (OL 2-5040) 1872 Brentwood Road, Oakland Gordon W. Richmond, M.D. (Beacon 2-1576) The Northern California Camellia Society, Inc. is a non-profit organization of camellia fanciers interested in the culture, propagation, and development of camellias. Meetings are held on the second Monday in each month from October to May inclusive, at 8 p.m., at the Chabot School Auditorium, Oakland. Membership is open to all those with a serious interest in the subject. Annual Dues $5.00. Membership application blanks may be obtained from Bruce Harless, Secretary, 1301 Stannage Ave., Berkeley. Published by the Northern California Camellia Society. Inc. Copyright, 1952

COVER FLOWER WHITE EMPRESS - Exquisite, pure white, very large incomplete-double with rounded, wavy petals, sometimes upright and folding to form "rabbit ears"; mass of yellow stamens with golden anthers lending yellowish glow at center. Fine substance. Good keeping qualities for corsages and flower arrangements. Vigorous, compact, upright growth. Early to mid-season bloomer. One of the most outstanding of K. Sawada's celebrated introductions of white C. japonica seedlings. Consistent blue-ribbon winner. Awarded Best Professional Flower at 1949 Camellia Show at Glendale, California. Best Flower of 1950 Camellia Show at Tyler, Texas. Also numerous other awards on Pacific Coast and in Deep South. The specimen flower of White Empress shown on cover was grown by Bar­ low Hollingshead, Orinda, and photographed by Herbert V. Mitchell, Walnut Creek. Northern California Camellia Society, Inc. 3

CONTAINER CULTURE OF CAMELLIAS By Fred E. Heitman, D.D.S., Vice President

To explain my method of container well. It was merely a matter of luck culture of camellias, I shall tell you that the environment was right for how it evolved. these acid-loving plants. Some twenty years ago my father One day I went to a nursery and had ten or twelve camellia plants in bought some camellias in 5 - gallon his garden in Berkeley. There was containers. The nurseryman cut the Kumasaka, Herme, Christmas Cheer, cans, tied string around the top to Somegawa, and others; all purchased keep them together, and cautioned from Toichi Domoto's father. The me not to disturb the roots. But on Somegawa was quite different from the way home the string came off the the camellia sold under this name Purity and the roots fell apart. I now. It was a red-and-white varie­ planted the camellias in the ground gated flower about the size of Pink and when new growth came, the Pu­ Perfection, full - double regular-imbri­ rity turned out to be in far better con­ cated, never showing stamens. Those dition than any of the others. that I have seen in nurseries in recent When I sold the house in Mill Val­ years show stamens----'are incomplete ley and moved to Oakland, I bought imbricated. oak barrels, cut them in half, and My father retired in 1938, moved to used them to transport the camellias. his ranch in the Sacramento Valley, Since I expected to be in Oakland and transplanted his camellias. In dig­ only temporarily, I didn't plant them ging up the plants, trenches were dug in the ground. around them and huge root-balls were About this time my wife bought G. taken; much larger than necessary. G. Gerbing's book, "Camellias," con­ The Kumasaka was 5 or 6 feet tall and taining scores of colored plates. Then the root-ball was quite heavy. A hole we attended the Berkeley Camellia was dug at the ranch and the plant Show of the Northern California Ca­ dropped in. Its weight caused it grad­ mellia Society at the Twentieth Cen­ ually to sink into the hole, and the tury Club. I made a long list of ca­ plant took on the appearahce of dy­ mellias to add to my collection- and ing; there was less growth year after I have never stopped since. year and the blooms were not good. We lived in Oakland while build­ Two years ago, they dug down and ing the house in Contra Costa County. lifted the camellia some 15 inches. I wish you could see how luxuriant the By the end of the year, the tin cans plant is now. began to rust out and the wooden After my father left Berkeley, I containers to deteriorate. I heard of moved to Mill Valley in Marin Coun­ some of the wood preservatives. To­ ty, where I had half-an-acre with oaks ichi Domoto had tubs painted with and bay trees and the leaf-mold was Coppernate which had lasted quite deep. It was a gardener's paradise. well. The redwood tubs held up very Around the house there was some well, too. I wanted to keep some open land that received morning sun plants in containers. Redwood and and afternoon shade. I planted rhodo­ Coppernate was my answer. I saw dendrons, azaleas and camellias, but some redwood tubs, painted green on didn't know anything about their cul­ the outside, but the bottoms and in­ ture. To my surprise, they all bloomed sides not painted. I bought some and painted the bottoms and insides with The above talk was given at the December Coppernate. I find that it preserves 10, 1951 meeting of the N.C.C.S. wood and roots stay away from it. 4 Northern California Camellia Society, Inc.

Herbert V. Mitchell gave a talk on impressed with Herme No. L No.2, how he made his redwood containers No.3, and No.4. I bought them all. and the pattern was shown in the But when they bloomed, they all N.C.C.S. Bulletin, Vol. 4, No.3, Feb­ turned out to be plain Herme. Now ruary, 1951, pages 5-6. We added I buy blooming plants at the nursery, some of these tubs, too. so that I can be sure of the quality We live on a knoll between Orinda of the variety and see the amount of and Lafayette, and during the heavy variegation. winds of early December, we found When my father moved to the we would have to do something about ranch, he was directed to Mr. Peter­ anchoring down those tubs. I am son, Lindo Nursery, Chico, who grew planning now to build the bottoms camellias in the ground and each out to brace the containers. season bare-rooted thousands of them. I planned on keeping 100 to 150 They do all right if handled properly. camellias in containers so that I could Buying camellias at different nurs­ move them into the hothouse to pro­ eries I found they used a variety of tect the blooms. I think anyone with soils; some use a good, friable mix, a lot of camellias should have a good others use terrible soil. many in containers. so that they can I reflected on all these things. It be moved about. But at Orinda, I find seemed to me that if the plant was those in containers dry out in a day bare-rooted, put into a good, loose or so. I still have to water twice a soil, and given all the nutrients it week. needs, it should thrive. Besides, bare­ For mix, I prepare about a cubic rooting would prevent flower blight. yard at a time, as follows: On the ranch you test all animals be­ 1 Wheelbarrow of oak-leaf mold fore putting them with other animals 1 wheelbarrow of adobe soil, which to prevent spread of disease. More­ by the way is rich in food value over, if the camellia were bare-rooted and transplanted, it would not be 1 wheelbarrow of old cow-manure planted too deep. The plant can be 1V2 wheelbarrows *black sand bare-rooted and put into the same size 2 wheelbarrows peat of container. 1 gallon can of gypsum In the 10- and 12-inch container, I I am using less drainage in con­ no longer use gravel for drainage; I tainers than in Oakland, for two rea­ watch the water and maintain good, sons: (l) I think Contra Costa County loose soil. In the 15- and 16-inch con­ must be famous for meadow mice. tainers, I use 1V2 inches of gravel in They go into my hothouse and get the bottom and good, loose soil. into the drainage holes at the bottom I used to.use a hose to bare-root, of the can. They even take bits of working in a mud-puddle. Now I use newspapers in there to build their a 50-gallon barrel; dunk the plant-ball nests. I am putting more holes in the in water and take all the dirt off, with­ containers, but am making them a lot out doing any harm to the plant. smaller, to prevent mice from enter­ I try putting the camellia into as ing; (2) I find the soil in containers small a container as possible. First I dries out faster in Orinda than in put the gravel in, put in some dirt Oakland. and pack it down. The top roots I In buying camellias, I made a lot leave exposed, for then I know the of mistakes. In Gerbing's book, I was camellia is not planted too deep and probably never will be too deep. You 'See "Black Magic," by Gordon W. Rich­ mond, M.D., N.C.C.S. Bulletin, Vol. 4, No.2, can always see roots at the top when Deceml:er, 1950, p. 6. (Continued on page 6) Northern California Camellia Society, Inc. 5

CAMELLIA FLOWER CLASSIFICATION - 1952 By Evelyn Frances Hollingshead, Ph.D. Chairman of Registration and Judges Clerks

A new "Camellia Flower Classifica­ classes 1 to 8 (or 9 to 16) have been tion" list is being prepared for the set up, segregating flowers by form, Seventh Annual Camellia Show of and under each class number, they the Northern California Camellia So­ are subclassified by color, ciety, Inc., to be held in the Veterans On the morning of the camellia Memorial Building, Civic Center (1931 show, there is little time between reg­ Center Street), Berkeley, on March 15­ istration and judging. Therefore, the 16, 1952. techniques of registration and classi­ This list will give the name of the fying specimen blooms must be so 'Camellia variety arranged alphabeti­ planned that the least effort is re­ cally, the name of the preferred syno­ quired on the part of show personnel nym, the class number, 1 to 8 (or 9 to segregate specimen flowers into to 16), and the color. class groups before judging begins. Individual exhibitors can do much to The ideal way to classify specimen facilitate classification by following camellia blooms for judging purposes at camellia shows is to segregate the alphabetical list of varieties in "Camellia Flower Classification­ them by varieties, so that a bloom of a given variety competes only with 1952" and recording on their entry form and entry cards the class num­ blooms of the same variety. Two ber and color together with the name years ago, seven-or-more blooms of a given variety formed a class for judg­ of the variety and the preferred syno­ nym shown on the list. ing. Last year, five-or-more blooms of one variety formed such a class. This Display tables will be marked class year, 1952, three-or-more blooms of 1 to 8 (or 9 to 16), and each class num­ one variety will constitute a varietal ber will be subclassified by color. By class for judging purposes. placing specimen blooms according Scores of rare and unsual varieties to class number and color, they are are exhibited. Many are likely to fall automatically arranged by form and color. into a large miscellaneous group, since there may not be enough flow­ At the close of registration, show ers of anyone variety to form a vari­ personnel will segregate three or etal class. It would be an impossible more blooms of a given variety to task for the judges to make awards form varietal classes for judging pur­ unless this group were arranged in poses. Certain varieties like Lady some logical, orderly manner to form Clare or Donckelari, which are always a number of classes. For that reason, entered by three or more exhibitors, can be segregated during the process 'The term "Camellia variety" as here used of registration either by exhibitor or does not conform to the approved botanical use by show personnel, merely by plac­ of the term "variety." They are not "botanical ing Lady Clare with other Lady varieties" but "horticultural clones." For the most part, specimen blooms of Camellia japan· Clares in Class 2, Pink; Donckelari ica shown in Classes I to 16 come from plants with other Donckelaris in Class 2 which have been propagated entirely by asex­ Variegated, and so on. ' ual means (by vegetative means); therefore, they are clones and not varieties. But common Often a variety is sold under dif­ usage of "variety" for "clone" among Camellia ferent names by different nursery­ exhibitors makes the former the more under­ men, and sometimes even by one standable term. The International Botanical Con­ gress has recognized but few "botanical vari­ nurseryman. If a given variety is en­ eties" in the species of Camellia. tered under a multiplicity of names 6 Northern California Camellia Society, Inc. the difficulty of segregating blooms CONTAINER CULTURE- of one variety would be greatly in­ (Continued from page 4) creased. For this reason, exhibitors I get through. Then I cover with pine­ are requested to examine the alpha­ needle mulch. At the end of year I betical list and show the name of the remove some mulch, but try not to preferred synonym as well as the disturb the roots. name under which he purchased the For food, I use liquid fertilizer and Camellia. To illustrate: Gigantea has apply it in the normal course of water­ been sold under many different ing, using a syphon with a ratio 16: 1. names, according to the amount of I believe in feeding small doses more white variegation, such as Emperor often rather than heavy doses three Wilhelm, Mary Bell Glennan, Magno­ or four times a year. Whatever ferti­ lia King. If you are displaying Em­ lizer I use, I apply about half the peror Wilhelm, write on your entry amount recommended by the manu­ form and entry card: "Gigantea-Em­ facturer. (The syphon ratio is 16:1. peror Wilhelm." The solution of liquid fertilizer in the A given variety, regardless of form, 15 gallon barrel is 240:1. Manufac­ will be placed in but one class, that turer's directions calls for 120:1, so it's designated on the flower classifica­ just half.) tion list. This will facilitate the segre­ When November comes, I think gation of varieties into varietal classes. nitrogen should be cut down, so I use the same food only cut it in half again, When show personnel have segre­ add potassium (1 lb. potassium sul­ gated the varietal classes for judging phate to 1 gallon of water added to purposes, the miscellaneous speci­ the solution of liquid fertilizer in 15 men flowers are automatically classi­ gallon barrel), which is supposed to fied by form and color, since they improve color and texture. That way, were placed in classes 1 to 8 (or 9 to the nitrogen content is lowered. 16), and subclassified by color, at the Some camellias are supposed to be beginning of registration; that is, if definitely better than others for pot exhibitors have made use of their culture. Ask your nurseryman. alphabetical list or have had the Reg­ Next time, try bare-rooting and use istration Clerks classify their entries. a good loose soil for drainage.

POST GRAFTING SURGERY By Gordon W. Richmond, M.D., Past President

Several years ago I took a look at over with callous. If callous is rolling, my grafts and found that many of I shave the wedge down; the wood them had rot. I used a big dental burr, is brown in there. I keep trimming electrically operated, to cut out dead down until I get white wood. Then I wood. The callous forming tries to apply tree seal, and almost immedi­ cover dead wood, but cannot. If there ately the callous starts to roll across. is even a small piece of dead wood The above illustrated talk was given at the sticking up, the graft will never heal December 10, 1951 meeting. Northern California Camellia Society, Inc. 7

.QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Wilson Footer, M.D., Oakland, Chairman

QUESTION: Will treatment with SUGGESTION (0. E. Hopfer): I use fertilizer speed up the opening of Ca­ about 6 inches of gravel in the bottom mellia buds? of container and it doesn't fall over, although I live on a knoll above Oak­ ANSWER (Vernon R. James): The land where there is considerable application of fertilizer does not speed wind. up the opening of the buds. SUGGESTION (Dave Feathers): Did QUESTION: Will moving Debu­ you ever try Orinda sandstone? tante into open sun produce bud for­ QUESTION: How much mulch do mation? you use? ANSWER (Wm. B. Smyth): Debu­ ANSWER: From 2 Vz to 3 inches of tante has to be quite old before it has pine needles. buds at all. As a general principle, more sun would help to set more SUGGESTION (Dr. Gordon Rich­ buds. mond): If you have hard nursery soil QUESTION: If buds on plant are in container, water doesn't penetrate continually rotting and dropping, does the root-ball. Bare-rooting and trans­ planting to loose soil corrects this. that mean that plant is not receiving enough sunlight? QUESTION: Why is gypsum used in soil mix? ANSWER (Wm. B. Smyth): During a continued long wet-spell such as ANSWER (Barlow Hollingshead): we have been having lately, it would When gypsum is used, a chemical tend to cause buds to rot and drop. reaction takes place. Water, heavily When buds are pretty well swelled charged with sodium, leaves a de­ and showing color and water gets in­ posit of sodium on top of soiL tend­ side, damage would be done, espe­ ing to prevent water penetration. Gyp­ cially if frost comes along and freezes sum frees sodium and then the soil them. Where the buds are tight, they takes water. won't be injured. Very poor drainage The University of California did would make the buds drop on some some research on that. After several varieties. irrigations with water charged with QUESTION: It was stated at one of sodium, the soil wouldn't take water. the meetings that each Camellia flow­ By putting gypsum into irrigation er requires 80 drops of water per day water, the sodium crusting broke up during the blooming season. How and the result was deeper penetra-. many ounces does this make? tion. If you send a half-gallon jug of your tap water to Davis Farm, they'll ANSWER (Dr. Wilson Footer): I ex­ tell you how much gypsum you need perimented and found that 100 flow­ to put in water for irrigation. Gypsum ers taking 80 drops each would re­ not only frees sodium but adds cal­ quire 13 ounces. The plant would cium and organic sulfur which are have to take up 13 ounces of water beneficial to camellias. Gypsum is to provide 100 blooms with 80 drops slightly on the acid side, with pH 6.5, each. slightly below neutral. 8 Northern California Camellia Society, Inc.

CULTIVATED SPECIES OF CAMELLIAS and DISCUSSION OF PLANT NAMES By Walker M. Wells, M.D., Past President

The cultivated species of camellias 1753, introduced what botanists call that are being grown in the western the binomial system of naming plants world are going to put new blood into - the first successful attempt to ar­ I I camellias. At present some thirteen range flowering plants in an orderly I species are under cultivation. system of classification. That marks I The camellia named Betty McCas­ the beginning of Systematic Botany. kill is a true species in itself-camel­ Briefly, Linnaeus listed most of the i lia maliflora - and should not be a important cultivated plants of his time, named variety, according to botanical arranged them in a logical system of rules. classification, and finally gave each Several months ago I cut out a little plant a simple name consisting of two I squib from FLOWER GROWER, as parts, a generic name and a specific follows: name, and that is why the term bi­ "Could someone please tell me nomial is used. To illustrate: Camellia where I can obtain seed of a plant iaponica. That is an application of the my grandmother called 'Kiss Me Over binomial system of nomenclature. the Garden Gate'? It was tall, 5 to 9 To understand the importance of all feet, and had pendant cerise-red flow­ this, we must look beyond Linnaeus ers. It was of the amaranthus form, into the early history of botany and but is not 'Love Lies Bleeding.' " of man's interest in plants. Actually, This is typical of what happens the first plant names were legends, a every day with people who love plant being identified by a story rath­ plants. This lady was looking for a er than a name. special flower. Had she found out the The Greeks and other early races real name of the plant, she wouldn't frequently associated the natural with have needed to insert such a request. the supernatural and by doing so cre­ ated beautiful myths to explain the That brings up the question of plant beauty and mystery of their gardens. names and also the question of spe­ Iris, for example, was the maid-serv­ cies, which I was supposed to talk ant of Hera, Queen of Olympus; she about. In the study of botanic taxon­ descended to earth on her many-col­ omy plants were classified according ored scarf, which, flung across the to natural relationships and this sim­ sky, was visible as the rainbow. We plified botany. To talk in an under­ are not certain whether the flower standable language, we have to talk was named for the Goddess or the in understandable terms. Plant names, story originated from the flower; but through the last hundred years, have the important thing is that some 2500 been simplified. But camellia names years ago this name became a part on the contrary have become so of horticultural language. mixed up that I think it will take an­ Many of these Greek plant names other Linnaeus to straighten us out. with legendary associations have per­ Next year, 1953, marks the 200th sisted to the present and, with slight anniversary of the publication of a changes, are immediately familiar: great book, "Species Plantarum," by Krokos, Narkissos, Smilax,' Hemero­ the great Swedish botanist Linnaeus. kalles. This important book, published in The Romans carried on the Greek The above talk was given at the January 14, traditions and most of the plant names 1952 meeting of the N.C.C.S. were latinized, but still they retained Northern California Camellia Society, Inc. 9 their associations with fanciful tales obvious relationships to each other. and persons. Occasionally, Latin The monks usually retained the old names replaced Greek names: Laurus Latin name, if there was one, and then replaced Daphne; Rosa was substi­ added qualifying words to distinguish tuted for Rhodon; Lillium took the the kinds. Just as we might say, white place of Hemerokalles. During the oak, black oak, red oak, cork oak, prosperous days of the Roman Em­ they said Solanum scandens, Solan­ pire, botanical knowledge was sum­ um tuberous esculentum. As the spe­ marized rather than extended. Much cies multiplied, descriptive words re­ lated to individual plants grew more time and labor were spent in the dis­ and more complex. There were such cussion of the medicinal properties lengthy descriptions as "Solanum po­ of plants. miferum fructu rotundo striato molli." Time passed and man's depend­ These men were not attempting to in­ ence on plants increased. The medi­ vent· a scientific terminology; they eval monks and the great herbalists, were simply trying to write precise being Latin scholars, wrote their trea­ descriptive phrases in the language tises in Latin. Lacking illustrations, that was most natural to them. they had no way of identifying plants By the 18th century there was a tre­ except by conjecture. Confusion in­ mendous number of known plants, creased. As new plants came under all carefully described by long Latin their observation they found it neces­ appellations. The student of botany sary to make up new names. But had a real task before him even to both Latin and Greek names were master a small number of these plant preserved throughout medieval times. names. One simple lily was called During the 16th and 17th centuries, "Lilium foliis verticillatis, floribus re­ Latin was the language of educated flexis corollis companulatis." Up to people. Between the small group of this time a long list of adjectives had scholars which were largely concen­ been used to describe and character­ trated in the great monasteries and ize a plant. churches and the ordinary people Linnaeus then came upon the there was a great gulf of ignorance scene. He was an orderly-minded which had to be bridgedl. When man and he thought systematically. these scholars made efforts to make He had before him a list of over 6,000 their knowledge available to the com­ species of plants. A friend of his, a mon people, they translated the Latin great botanist, had gone to South into the simple language of the com­ Africa and had brought back plants. mon people. One can readily see how Linnaeus decided to create a method many new names were applied to of nomenclature he could work with. plants and how confusion arose. It was necessary to drop the burden Many of these names came from Latin roots, such as campanula for a bell­ of all those long Latin descriptions shaped flower. Plants, therefore, had which trailed behind a plant's name one or more Latin names applied to like an overgrown tail. He invented them; these were individual descrip­ what he called the "trivial name." tive names. Where attempts at group­ Along the margins of his list of plants ing were made, these were composed he wrote a single adjective. This word of unrelated plants. was used only once and never re­ As herbalists studied plants and in­ peated. It always identified a single creased their knowledge, they dis­ plant and no other. All the previous covered many new kinds of plants attempts at describing the plant Were which were unknown to the monks; dropped or at least subordinated to a considerable number of these had the plant's nam9. Why worry about 10 Northern California Camelli:t Society, Inc. a description; that can be someplace cover their correct botanical names. else. The familiar or vernacular names For the first time in history plants often have a pretty description or a found themselves with a particular sweet sound, but they are of no assist­ name which consisted simply of two ance in identifying a plant. For in­ terms, the binomial system. It was as stance, "Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate." though the plant had been given a surname and a Christian name. To Although the naming of a plant illustrate: Camellia japonica, Camellia would seem to be a rather simple pro­ cedure, unless certain specific rules reticulata. These names have become are followed precisely and universal­ standard throughout the scientific ly, errors and confusion may quickly world. Botanists found themselves arise. Botanists have taken keen in­ able to cope with any number of terest in preserving the simple system plants, and today the system is as originated by Linnaeus. The rules useful as when it was first invented. governing the naming of plants were As plant explorers began to accu­ agreed upon at the Botanical Con­ mulate thousands of plants from all gress of Vienna in 1905. At the Inter­ continents and these plants were national Horticultural Conference in studied, certain relataionships became London in 1930, in Paris in 1932, and apparent between large groups. in Rome in 1935, the nomenclature of Thereupon, the plant kingdom was garden plants was fully discussed divided into certain large related divi­ and agreement reached. sions; but within these divisions the Today, no plant can have an ac­ plants always retained their simple ceptable scientific name unless this original binomial names. The terms name agrees with the rules set forth Order, Family, Genus, Species, and by these large *botanical conferences. Variety were used to group plants in For a long time there was confusion their widely related categories. between Camellia and Thea, the tea Names are given to plants so that plant. Several botanists described when they are spoken or written them. It was found they should be­ about there will be no confusion as to long to one genera of plants; by the particular plant referred to. Be­ others that they should be separated. hind every scientific plant name there "Species Plantorum" was published is a considerable amount of summar­ in two volumes: Vol. I in April 1753, ized knowledge about the plant. This and Vol. II in August 1753. Thea was knowledge consists of a careful de­ published in the first volume; Camel­ scription of the plant, including its lia in the second volume. It was general growth habits, its foliage, the shown that Vol. I was published prior shape and arrangements of its leaves, to Vol. II; therefore, the genera should its flower, and its fruit. be Thea instead of Camellia. At the To make this specific knowledge first International Conference, how­ useful, it must be readily available. ever, it was decided that the two The first step in making this knowl­ should appear under the same gen­ edge available is the accurate naming eric name: Camellia sinensis instead and identification of the plant. Every of Thea sinensis. plant must bear one name and this From our best botanical information name must be universally accepted. we know that the genus Camellia has This fact is the keystone of systematic botany. The only way in which you ·(A Committee for the Nomenclature of Culti­ will ever have any real appreciation vated Plants was appointed by the 7th Inter­ national Botanical Congress, Stockholm 1950. and understanding of plants is to be The International Horticultural Conference is sufficiently interested in them to dis- scheduled to meet in London in 1952.-Ed.) Northem California Camellia Society, Inc. 11 from 65 to 70 species. These species oleifera, which is closely related and have been collected and described has continuously been confused with fairly accurately. Most of them are of e. sasanqua, is found only in China considerable botanical rather than where it is widely cultivated for the horticultural interest. Only a small seeds from which an oil is extracted. proportion of them, probably not The wild form is quite distinct from more than thirteen, have been intro­ cultivated forms, which are comprised duced to cultivation, either here or in of about 125 distinct named varieties Europe. in Japan. All of the above species are con­ Camellia Reticulata fined to Eastern Asia, but the majority In certain respects e. reticulata is are concentrated in the warmer parts the finest of the genus. of China, Japan, and Indochina. Many Semi-double cultivated garden of these species are closely related to forms were introduced in 1820 and each other, and can only be separated 1824. Capt. Rawes brought a garden individually by a careful scientific form of this plant to his friend, T. C. description of the plant. Most of these Palmer, in 1824, which flowered in species are of little general interest, his garden in 1826. For more than a and from a horticultural viewpoint are century this semi-double form was interesting only because they might thought to be the species form. possess certain genetic characteristics which could be used in hybridizing In 1924, George Forrest, collecting with our cultivated species. camellia seeds in Western Yunnan province, sent some to his friend, I­ Camellia iaponica was introduced e. Williams of Cornwall. Plants from into England by Lord Petre in 1739. these seeds flowered in 1932 and The tea plant, Camellia sinensis, was proved to be the wild form of reticu­ introduced in 1760. lata. In the early part of the 19th century, The Chinese name is Nan-Shan­ several more species were intro­ Cha, meaning Camellia of the South duced: Camellia reticulata, e. oleifera, Mountain. C. maliflora, and C. euryoides; pos­ sibly C. rosiflora. Yunnanese are very fond of Camel­ lia reticulata. It is planted extensively Camellia sasanqua was introduced in gardens and parks, and there is a into France about 1869 and reached potted plant in every courtyard. Trees England about ten years later. e. more than 300 years old are growing hongkongensis was sent to the Royal in temple courtyards near Kungming, Botanic Garden in 1874. and they are in bloom at the time of Two other species have been intro­ the Chinese New Year. Its culture is duced since the beginning of the a favorite amusement of the nobility present century: C. cuspidata and e. and the rich. Its exquisite flowers are saluenensis. regarded as a sign of fortune and wealth. Several plants were often in­ Camellia Sasanqua cluded in marriage dowries. Charles Maries, collector for the Eighteen cultivated varieties of C. Veitch Nurseries, sent the first C. sa­ reticulata have been imported into sanqua plants from Japan. A double California and have been identified, white and a single rose flowered vari­ but the Chinese were supposed to ety were shown at a meeting of the have distinguished 72 varieties. Royal Horticultural Society meeting on December 13, 1892. Camellia Cuspidata The wild form of C. sasanqua grows C. cuspidata is a very common only in Japan. Another species, e. plant of the thickets and woodlands 12 Northern California Camellia Society, Inc. in the province of Hupeh, China. It C. sinensis was introduced into cul­ was first collected in 1877 near !chang tivation in the western world in 1768. by Augustine Henry. In 1900, it was But it has been widely cultivated in recollected by E. H. Wilson, and in­ China for many centuries. Thea bohea troduced into cultivation by seeds (black tea) was different from Thea sent home by Wilson. viridis (green tea). But any tea plant Plants raised by Veitch flowered in will yield both depending on the 1912. This species is easily recog­ process used in drying. nized by its slender arching branches There is no record of its occurrence and narrow long leaves. A profusion in a wild state. It is not of much dec­ of small white flowers cluster along orative value as compared to other the stem. It is one of the most hardy species: numerous small white flow­ of all camellias. ers and glossy dark-green leaves. It is used occasionally as a hedge plant. Camellia Maliflora C. maliflora is a beautiful double­ Camellia Taliensis flowered species, originally intro­ C. taliensis is another of Forrest's duced from China in 1818 by Capt. introductions. It was first collected by Rawes, probably obtained from a Chi­ Augustine Henry in Southern Yun­ nese garden. At first it was thought nan province in 1897. In 1913 it was to be a variety of Sasanqua. Until collected by Forrest and seed was 1935, it was grown under the name sent with a herbarium specimen. This of C. rosiflora flore pleno. specimen was one of the tea plant. C. maliflora makes a shapely bush The single seed to germinate grew some 8 feet high, with small, neat, into a tall, rather slender tree, 10 feet leathery leaves, dark - green above high. and bright-geren below; small, dainty Although the original plant died in blush-pink double flowers. The petals 1940, grafts sent to Kew survive. The are not shed, but entire flower falls plant has 2-inch white flowers with off when spent. numerous yellowish - brown tipped The wild form is unknown, unless stamens which protrude about %­ it has developed from the single­ inch beyond the petals. Flower buds flowered rosiflora. form in axils of leaves along the whole length of the current year's Camellia Hongkongensis growth and are perfectly round and C. hongkongensis was first de­ white. It has ornamental foliage, soft scribed in 1859. It grows in scattered looking, olive-green and 5 inches locations on Hongkong Island, espe­ long. cially on Mt. Victoria. It has been cultivated in England since 1874. Camellia Saluenensis The flowers are 5 to 6 centimeters C. saluenensis was discovered by in diameter, distinctly cup-shaped, George Forrest in Yunnan province, with deep red petals, and can be China, on the Scweli-Salween River readily recognized by its blackish­ Divide, and introduced in 1917. For­ green leaves. It flowers in January. rest noted three colors: white, pink, and crimson. He collected seed of Camellia Sinensis each, but only the pink germinated. C. sinensis was cultivated in China C. saluenensis has been confused for many centuries. The Chinese were with C. pitardii. drinking tea long before the Christian This species grows at an altitude era. This is the tea plant of the Orient of 9,000 feet and is exceptionally and was described by Linnaeus as hardy. In England they are particu­ Thea sinensis. larly interested in C. saluenensis, Northern California Camellia Society, Inc. 13 crossing it with other species in an only when one speaks of the result effort to grow hardy camellias that of a cross between species. will stand up under their weather C. reticulata has been crossed with conditions. It sets seed readily and practically everything it can be crosses easily with other species. crossed with in the last few years. There is much variation in seedlings, A lot of new blood is coming into the especially in flower color and size. Camellia family, and the resulting hy­ The saluenensis-japonica group are brids will be of great interest to watch. designated botanically as Camellia x Since botanists have never been williamsii or C. x williamsii. I.C. Wil­ able to agree on the usage of the term liams, Mary Christian, St. Ewe, and "variety," and but few botanical vari­ November Pink are among the hy­ eties have been recognized in the brids of this group. Camellia species, we had better be careful about using the term loosely. C. saluenensis crossed with Adolph The specimen C. japonica blooms Audusson gave Elizabeth Rothschild, displayed tonight are actually clones and with Donckelari gave Salutation. and not varieties at all. The term C. saluenensis has also been suc­ clone refers to asexual reproduction cessfully crossed with other species: of plant; that is, propagated by vege­ Inamorata (Saluenensis x wild form of tative means. For instance, C. japon­ reticulata); Salutation (Saluenensis x ica clone Donckelari, or C. japonica reticulata). cl. Donckelari, or C. japonica 'Donck­ The term hybrid should be used elari.'

SACRAMENTO CAMELLIA SHOW

The Camellia Society of Sacramento announces their 28th Annual Camellia Show, commemorating the One Hundredth Anniversary of the importation of Camellias to Sacramento by James L.L.F. Warren, February 7, 1952. The Camellia Show will take place at Memorial Auditorium, 16th and J Streets, Sacramento, on the following dates and times: Saturday, March 8, 1952 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday, March 9, 1952 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The 1952 show schedule will place emphasis on varieties, each variety having three or more entries will be judged as a separate class. This provision will apply to the three-blossom group as well. Specimen flowers will be placed according to form, using similarity to other flower forms. Each form classification will be subclassified by color: white, pink, rose, red, and variegated. Where but one or two entries of a given variety are made, these will be judged in miscellaneous classes according to form and color. Flower arrangement classes have been set up for (l) Juniors up to 17 years of age, (2) Novice, (3) Standard, and (4) Invitational. Schedules are available and will be furnished by Mrs. William W. Doidge, Corresponding Secretary, 1762 - 5th Avenue, Sacramento 18. 14 Northern California Camellia Society, Inc.

PRIZE WINNERS AND DONORS Fred E. Heitman, D.D.S., Chairman

Nurserymen have been most gen­ DECEMBER 10. 1951 erous in providing Door Prizes and MARCHIONESS OF EXETER, do­ Exhibitors' Prizes during the 1951-52 nated by JAMES RARE PLANT NURS­ Camellia season. The names of vari- . ERY, Hiway 17 and Union Street at Campbell, between San Jose and Los eties, donors, and prize winners are Gatos, won by Mr. Haig Ashukian, as follows: Lafayette. OCTOBER 15. 1951 BESSIE McARTHUR, donated by JAMES RARE PLANT NURSERY, Hi­ PEONIAFLORA, 3 gal. size, donated way 17, at Union Street, Campbell, by JOHN E. EDWARDS WHOLESALE won by Mr. Jack Osegueda, Oakland. CAMELLIA NURSERY, East Palo Alto, California, won by Mrs. Hobart Rog­ JANUARY 14. 1952 ers, Oakland. LINDSAY NEILL, donated by DO­ MOTO NURSERIES, 26591 Western ELEGANS - CHANDLER (Chandleri­ Road, Hayward, won by Wallace H. Elegans) PREDOMINANTLY WHITE, Brown, Berkeley. 3 gal. size, won by Mr. C. A. Roberts, Alameda. SHIRO DAIKAGURA, donated by DOMOTO NURSERIES, 26591 West­ NOVEMBER IS. 1951 ern Road, Hayward, won by Lovell Preston, Oakland. MRS. BERTHA A. HARMS, donated by SARATOGA CAMELLIA NURS­ FEBRUARY 11. 1952 ERY, Highway #9, Sunnyvale be­ ARRABELLA, donated by SMYTH tween Cupertino and Saratoga, Cali­ CAMELLIA NURSERY, Thomas Court, fornia, won by Mr. Jack Osegueda, Lagunitas Road, Ross, Marin County, Oakland. California, won by Mr. James R. Sprat­ HUGH EVANS (HEBE), donated by ley, Jr., Alameda. ORCHARD NURSERY & SUPPLY, MOLLY MOORE DAVIS, donated Tunnel Road, midway between Orin­ by SMYTH CAMELLIA NURSERY, da and Lafayette, won by Mr. C. F. Ross, Marin County, California, won Jenson, Richmond. by Mr. Alfred R. Scarsi, San Mateo.

SAN JOSE CAMELLIA SHOW

The Tenth Annual Camellia Show of the Camellia Society of Santa Clara County, Inc. will be held at the San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Carlos Street, San Jose, on Sunday, March 2, 1952, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is the major non-competitive camellia show to be held in California in 1952. The only element of competition is a camellia review table where the best flowers of some 150 varieties are displayed according to color. It is a significant honor for an amateur or a commercial grower to have his bloom selected for the review table. This makes possible a quick survey of camellia varieties, as to form, color and texture. The commercial display consisting of specimen camellia plants in full bloom and arrays of rare, unusual and standard specimen flowers is always outstanding. Northern California Camellia Society, Inc. 15

SEVENTH ANNUAL CAMELLIA SHOW COMMITTEE of the NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CAMELLIA SOCIETY. INC.

SHOW MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE BARLOW HOLLINGSHEAD Orinda 2054 JOHN PAUL EDWARDS GLencourt 1-1854 DAVID L. FEATHERS 'Orinda 2171 FRED E. HEITMAN, D.D.S. 'Orinda 2177 HAROLD L. PAIGE.. Lafayette 3408 GORDON W. RICHMOND, M.D. BEacon 2-1576

Registration and Judges Clerks MRS. BARLOW HOLLINGSHEAD, Orinda 2054 Assistant Chairman: MRS. J. D. MERRITT LAndscape 4-2639 Judges DAVID L. FEATHERS, Orinda 2171 Flower Arrangements MRS. CARL B. BOWEN, GLencourt 1-0979 Program and Ribbons 0. E. HOPFER, ANdover 1-7811 Trophies WALLACE H. BROWN, OLympic 2-5404 Classification BARLOW HOLLINGSHEAD, Orinda 2054 Commercial Display FRED E. HEITMAN, D.D.S., Orinda 2177 Staging WALTER N. POWELL, OLympic 3-1586 Properties WILSON FOOTER, M.D., TWinoaks 3-2569 Tables for Exhibits DONALD K. STAPLES, KEllog 4-4037 Display Illumination GORDON W. RICHMOND, M.D., BEacon 2-1576 Reception and Information JOHN PAUL EDWARDS, GLencourt 1-1854 Hostesses MRS. JOHN J. KAMPSCHROER, ANdover 1-3687 Book Sales MRS. LENORE BROZE Publicity Garden Clubs MRS. BARLOW HOLLINGSHEAD, Orinda 2054 Nurseries : JOHN L. McDONNELL, OLympic 2-1785 Press JACK OSEGUEDA, PIedmont 5-9555W Radio (Garden CommentatorsL__ JOHN PAUL EDWARDS, GLencourt 1-1854 Radio (Women CommentatorsL MRS. O. E. HOPFER, ANdover 1-7811 MRS. H. G. SANDERS, KEllog 3-2211 MRS. WALKER M. WELLS, HUmboldt 3-0951 Advance Ticket Sales BRUCE HARLESS, LAndscape 5-8218 Door Ticket Sales and Admission F. A. GRIMMELMAN, KEllog 3-2782 H. G. SANDERS, KEllog 3-2211 Transportation GORDON COURTRIGHT, BErkeley 7-6490 16 Northern California Camellia Society, Inc.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Plan now to attend The Seventh Annual CAMELLIA SHOW of the

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CAMELLIA SOCIETY, INC.

BERKELEY VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING Civic Center, 1931 Center Street, Berkeley (between Milvia and Grove)

Sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars-Berkeley Post 703 and by American Camellia Society

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 -2:30 P.M. TO 10 P.M. SUNDAY, MARCH 16-10 A.M. TO 6 P.M.

FIRST SHOWING OF SPECIMEN BLOOMS OF THE NEW RETICULATAS RECENTLY IMPORTED FROM YUNNAN PROVINCE, CHINA Courtesy Descanso Distributors, Inc. La Canada, California

HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITS OF SPECIMEN BLOOMS AND POTTED PLANTS • FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

KODACHROMES OF NEW RETICULATAS

COLORED MOTION PICTURES OF GROWING CAMELLIAS AND AZALEAS Courtesy California Spray-Chemical Corp.

Competitive Exhibits Invited

Write MRS. BARLOW HOLLINGSHEAD Registration Chairman 12 La Cintilla Avenue, Orinda 50c Orinda 2054 (tax incl.)