74 THE FLORIST. 



place ; so that with a few varieties well selected, this splendid 

 tribe may be had in bloom all the year round. 



The two leading features of successful Heath-growing 

 mainly depend on attention to watering and a free circulation 

 of air; indeed we are fully persuaded that, of plants potted 

 in peat, more are lost and damaged annually from inattention 

 to watering than all other causes put together. No plant of 

 this character should be allowed to get too dry; for if such is 

 the case, from the nature of the soil, it is extremely difficult 

 to again wet the ball of earth; and although a copious supply 

 of water may be given, and the purpose appear effected, it 

 frequently happens that the water has not penetrated more 

 than an inch ; thus the plant stands, until perchance it gets 

 more water ; but the mischief is done, for it may have been 

 standing six or twelve hours, and even more, literally dying; 

 yet the plant, from its hardy nature, at the time evinces no 

 outward or immediate signs of decay; but internally the work 

 of devastation is going on. Who can wonder then at Ericas 

 going off suddenly, as is frequently the case, especially to- 

 wards the autumn? 



To keep plants moist, a little water should never be given, 

 but the plants be allowed to get moderately dry, and then suf- 

 ficient administered to completely wet the whole ; for if pro- 

 perly drained all superfluous moisture will be readily carried 

 off. 



Air cannot be too freely admitted to Heaths when the 

 weather is at all favourable, and indeed to all similar plants ; 

 therefore, whether in the greenhouse or frame, it is a great 

 desideratum to have a thorough and free ventilation, and the 

 plant, in all instances, should be placed as near the glass as 

 possible. 



We have heard many remark, that Ericas must have a 

 house, as they require heat ; but such is obviously a mistake, 

 as no tribe^ of plants can possibly suffer more from a dry arti- 

 ficial heat than Heaths. Although air is so very essential to 

 their well-being, and it is advisable to remove the lights from 

 frames and houses when practicable, and when the weather is 

 mild and genial, still it would be extremely injudicious to 

 fully expose them during the prevalence of dry easterly winds, 

 or to the scorching rays in summer, at which season they 

 should be shaded or protected from the midsummer sun, not- 

 withstanding the foliage of the Heath tribe would sustain 

 without injury the greatest degree of sun-heat we ever have 

 in these latitudes ; but it is the roots that we wish to protect 

 by partial shading, for when the sun acts fully on the pots they 

 become heated to a great degree; and as the roots of all 



