THE FLORIST. 11 



suitable for making the annual shift, and other little matters in con- 

 nexion with that operation. To state all my objections to his system 

 would lead me into a recapitulation of an article upon this subject 

 published some time ago, and which may be found at pages 105 and 

 106, Vol. I., of The Florist ; suffice it to say, that I disagree with 

 him on many essential points, most especially in his recommending 

 leaf-mould as a substitute for peat, and river for silver-sand. I can- 

 not imagine that any grower of Heaths will ever need a substitute 

 for peat. If he does, he will not find an efficient one in leaf-mould ; 

 therefore avoid it. As regards sand, I care but little about the colour 

 or coarseness, but I am most particular in using it pure, thoroughly 

 cleansing it in many waters from all impurities. For struck cuttings, 

 and all small plants, silver-sand, with the peat, is indispensable. I 

 have learnt by experience that unwashed sand is most pernicious ; 

 and no wonder either, seeing what a variety of foreign matter it 

 contains. 



On the subject of Cf growing and summer treatment of Heaths," 

 recommended by Mr. Leach, I must make rather liberal extracts. 

 He says : " All the free-growing kinds of Cape Heaths succeed best 

 out of doors, in a not overshaded place, during summer ; the slow- 

 growing sorts, as Massoni, Templese, Pulcherrima, Ferruginea, Mu- 

 tabilis, Metulaeflora, the tricolor varieties, &c. &c, are best kept in 

 the house, or in pits ; always, however, bearing in mind., that the 

 Heath tribe requires plenty of air and little shade, except when fresh 



shifted I always give a liberal shift if the plants are well 



rooted, say from an 8-inch pot to a 12 or 13-inch pot, according to 

 the variety. I prefer the West Kent pot, for, its bottom being mov- 

 able, there is no occasion to break the pot in shifting, which is un- 

 avoidable when the common pot is used." 



On this head of his subject, Mr. Leach is anxious to make it 

 appear, first, that different species and varieties require somewhat 

 different treatment to others ; secondly, that sun is preferable to 

 shade; thirdly, recommends a larger shift than is usually given ; and 

 fourthly, pots with movable bottoms are all but indispensable. 



That some Heaths require treatment different to others, is an 

 opinion by no means new ; but the many years' experience I have 

 had tells me there is no true foundation for such a belief; and the 

 advocating such an opinion tends only to puzzle and mystify the 

 inexperienced, creating a belief that there is more art and mystery 

 in growing this class of plants than there really is. Some varieties 

 will doubtless accommodate themselves to injudicious treatment better 

 than others ; but they will not thank you for it in the long run. 



Mr. Leach is decidedly in error when he recommends " little 

 shade." The best possible situation for Heaths, when they are turned 

 out in the summer after flowering, is on the shady side of a high hedge, 

 where they can enjoy the air in all directions without exposure to 

 the mid-day sun : alternate rain and sunshine tell a sad tale, — death 

 or disease is almost sure to follow ; for, by the first, the mouths 

 of the newly-formed roots, which have found their way to the sides 

 of the pot, are destroyed by reason of the powerful heat on their 



