HEATHER IN NEW ENGLAND 

 By John H. Lovell 



The heathers are not native to America, but two species 

 are found in small patches on the island of Nantucket; and 

 Scotch heather occurs in low grounds along the coast from 

 Newfoundland to Rhode Island. In nortjiern and western 

 Europe heather, or ling, covers vast areas of waste or sterile 

 lands called moors. When it grows a yard tall, the small 

 evergreen leaves, the purple stems, and profusion of white 

 or pink flowers present an expanse of color long to be re- 

 membered. Its uses among the peasants are numberless, 

 being employed for brooms, brushes, baskets, fuel, brewing, 

 roofing, beds, dyeing and fodder. Another beautiful heather, 

 the purple heath (Erica cinerea) is also common on the lower 

 moors of Great Britain. Both secrete nectar plentifully and 

 furnish a generous surplus of amber-colored honey, with an 

 aromatic flavor, and a pungent aroma, but so viscous that it 

 is difficult to extract. In southwestern Africa the heaths 

 reach their maximum and the 500 species are a prominent 

 element in the vegetation of that region, reaching the 

 height of 12 feet and being covered with white or pink blos- 

 soms for a large part of the year. 



On an estate at South Lancaster, Mass., there have been 

 planted on the hillsides in irregular masses two or three acres 

 of heather (Calluna vulgaris.) The plant is hardy and seeds 

 itself, but it is necessary to keep the land free from under- 

 brush. It is propagated by means of cuttings rooted in a 

 greenhouse. The original seed came from Scotland and was 

 planted at Townsend, Mass., by a Scotch woman, homesick 

 for her native heather hills. No surplus of honey has thus 

 far been obtained from the bloom. 



In each issue of this journal beginning with tjie April, 

 1922 number, we plan to publish a short account, with photo- 

 graphic illustration of some remarkable tree, noted for size, 

 age or historical association. We herewith solicit photo- 

 graphs, cuts, and short descriptions of such trees now stand- 

 ing within the boundaries of Maine. 



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