CULTIVATION OF THE GENUS EPACEIS. JQI 



a matter of some importance sliould the weather be dry at the time 

 of lajdiig. The only keeping such edgings require is clipping 

 with the garden shears, and this is effected by operating on either 

 side, so as to form an apex in the centre. When propei'ly trim- 

 med the base and sides will form an equilateral triangle, each 

 side being' an inch in length. 



These edgings have now been down for thirteen years, and I 

 am so well satisfied with their utility and general appearance 

 that I would not substitute for them any other description of 

 living edging that I have yet seen employed in similar places. 

 Turf, whether in regard to its appropriate character, to the 

 situation it occupies, the neatness it displays, the readiness with 

 which it can be employed, the little trouble that is requisite to 

 keep it in perfect order, or the smallness of its dimensions 

 in affording but little shelter to insects — which every gardener 

 knows to be a matter of no mean importance — answers the pur- 

 pose admirably. 



XIX. — Hints on the Cultivation of the Genus Epacris. By 

 Robert Reid, C.M.H.8., Gardener to Mrs. Clarke, of Noble- 

 thorpe. 



(Communicated November 10, 1848.) 



This useful genus, which is yearly becoming more interesting 

 by the addition of new varieties, almost rivals heaths in beauty, 

 and must doubtless soon receive more extensive cultivation than 

 it has hitherto done ; for Epacrises are much better adapted for 

 mixed collections than heaths, both on account of their more 

 robust habits and the certainty with which they can be brought 

 into flower at almost any given time, but more especially in the 

 winter season. The following hints therefore on their cultiva- 

 tion may be found to be deserving of attention : — 



With respect to propagation and soil they require the same 

 treatment as heaths. I have tried a little loam with peat, but 

 find they always thrive best in sandy peat alone. The time for 

 shifting can hardly be fixed, but it should mostly be done betwixt 

 the months of January and May. My practice is always to shift 

 when the plant has done flowering, whatever time that may 

 happen to be. The first thing to be effected before shifting, is 

 to carefully cut down and thin out the small shoots, which 

 should be cut to various lengths and heights according to the 

 size and strength of the plant. The rule is to cut low enough 

 to cause the plant to break, down close to the surface of the soil, 

 so that every part may be fully clothed with a sufficiency of 

 young flowering shoots ; for the main point to be considered in 

 pruning is to produce a regular crop of well-ripened young 



