H t) i; I' I C U L T U R E 



January Id. 1920 



GROWING ERICAS. 



Some of the Fine Points About Hand- 

 ling These Plants. 



Hailing for ihe most luul from 

 South Africa, the greenhouse species, 

 hyljrids, and varieties of Ericas, run 

 to a large number, and in the days of 

 the vogue of hard-wooded plants there 

 were collections of probably nearly 

 fifty varieties, the tlowerinf; period of 

 which extended through every month 

 of the j'ear. Such collections, how- 

 ever, are not to be found today outside 

 our leading Botanical Gardens. In 

 commercial establishments where 

 Ericas are grown for sale in conven- 

 ient and serviceable sizes, about a 

 dozen varieties may be said to cover 

 the usual range. These consist cliiefly 

 of the kinds that bear their flowers 

 during the winter and spring, when 

 for obvious reasons they are of greater 

 service than during the summer 

 months. 



Even from the time of preparation 

 of cuttings, the task of the Heath 

 grower is intricate. Plants must be 

 subjected to a steady heat to induce 

 extension of side shoots, which are 

 heeled oH for cuttings when about 

 %-inch long. Ericas are impatient of 

 heat, and close watch must be kept 

 on the stock plants whilst subjected 

 to It. The compost must also be 

 chosen and prepared with care. A 

 tough fibrous peat, free from greasi- 

 ness and rottenness must be chosen, 

 and the sharpest and cleanest of silver 

 sand must be freely mixed with the 

 peat. Cuttings need covering with 

 either handlights or the frames of a 

 propagating pit. Very little bottom 

 heat may be given, and the utmost 

 care must always be exercised to keep 

 the compost evenly moist without any- 

 thing approaching saturation. Daily 

 airing, and wiping the glass to remove 

 condensation of moisture is necessary, 

 and the maintenance of a fresh 

 healthy green must always be ob- 

 served as a guide to the successful 

 progress of the cuttings. Ericas are 

 among the few subjects to which the 

 presence of lime in the soil is fatal, 

 and care must be taken that both soil 

 and water are free from lime. 



Firm potting is very essential, and 

 the supply of water, especially after 

 recent potting, and durins damp, 

 muggy weather, calls for keen percep- 

 tion and constant care. Ventilation 

 must be ample, for whilst artificial 

 shading is injurious, the sudden rise 

 in temperature resulting from an out- 

 burst of spring sunshine, will quickly 

 work havoc. As soon as weather con- 

 ditions permit Ericas should be re- 

 moved to the open, on a good ash bed. 



Burpee's 

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.-j'^Wt"? TRUTH ABOUT « f% Ort 



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W. Atlee Burpee Co, 



Seed Growers Philadelphia 



W. At lee Burpee Co.. 



Seed Growers Phifadelphio. 



BURPEE'S ANNUAL FOR 1920 



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