CHAP. LXIXx. ERICA CER. 1095 
App. VI. Ciudture of the hardy and half-hardy Species and Varieties 
of Ericee belonging to the Group Ericee normdles. 
The hardy Species of Ericee normdles are most commonly propagated by 
layering the branches im very sandy peat. The shoots require no cutting or 
twisting; but, if they are buried in the soil, about 1 in. deep, and to within 
1 in. of their points, and the soil be kept firm and moist over them, they 
will root freely in two or three months, in the spring or autumn. Layers 
made in October or November will be fit to take off in the following May or 
June; as will layers made in February or March. Some of the commoner 
heaths are also propagated by division, or detaching stems or branches which 
may have produced roots; and all the species may be raised from seeds when 
these ripen. The soil in which all the species and varieties thrive best 
is sandy peat, though some of the species will thrive with a greater pro- 
portion of loam intermixed with the peat than others. Whatever soil is used, 
it ought to be mixed with pieces of freestone or brickbats, as reservoirs of 
moisture, and placed on a stratum of gravel, as drainage, for reasons which 
will be hereafter mentioned. 
A Heathery, or Ericetum, in the open Ground is justly considered as one of 
the most interesting ornaments of the flower-garden or pleasure-ground, from 
its being at all times green, and exhibiting plants in full flower during every 
month in the year. Perhaps the most complete hardy heath garden in Eng- 
land is that at Woburn Abbey. There, Mr. Forbes informs us, “ Each species or 
variety is confined to a separate bed, the beds being edged with the Callina 
vulgaris and Erica Tétralix; and so disposed, that the tallest-growing kinds 
are arranged towards the centre of the parterre: whilst the whole are so in- 
termixed, in point of colour, as to produce the most lively contrast possible.” 
(Hort. Wob., p. 282.) A plan of the parterre for hardy heaths is given in 
the Hortus Woburnensis, exhibiting upwards of 70 groups; but, as the dis- 
tribution of the species and varieties, among these groups, so as that the 
tallest-growing kinds may be “ arranged towards the centre,” and the whole 
“so intermixed in point of colour as to produce the most lively effect 
possible,” is not given in the Hortus Woburnensis, we have written to His 
Grace the Duke of Bedford, to request that he would authorise Mr. Forbes to 
supply us with so interesting a desideratum. In every case, the shapes and 
sizes of the beds of a parterre, especially one to be planted with ligneous plants, 
which may be considered fixtures, are of trifling consequence in comparison 
with the arrangement of the plants inthem. We have been the more anxious 
to indicate this arrangement, in the case of the Woburn ericetum, because the 
late Mr. George Sinclair, F.L.S., who designed the beds, and, we presume, 
planted them, had a scientific knowledge of, and an excellent taste in, colours. 
His arrangement of the heaths in these beds, therefore, so as to produce a 
harmonious effect, we consider to be of great interest to gardeners intending 
to plant a heathery; and we are happy in being able, through the kindness 
of the Duke of Bedford, to lay it before our readers. 
The hardy ericetum at Woburn Abbey is situated in front of the Cape 
ericetum, and the form of the beds is exhibited in fig. 886. In this figure, 
a is the passage under the Cape heathery, which forms a portion of a 
covered way, leading from the mansion to the different objects of interest 
adjoining it ; such as the green-house, sculpture gallery, tennis-court, Chinese 
dairy, plant-stoves and palm-house now erecting, and finally to the pleasure- 
ground, including the aviary, arboretum, salictum, grass-garden, American 
garden, &c. 
6 is a broad gravel walk ; being a portion of the main walk of the pleasure- 
ground. 
c, Descent from the porch of the Cape heathery. 
d, Shrubbery, chiefly consisting of rhododendrons and azaleas. 
1 to 73, Heaths, and other Hricacea, arranged as in the following list. 
