THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. ~~ 295 
MESSRS. ROLLISON AND SON’S NEW ERICAS. 
(With a Coloured Illustration.) 
== HH charming group of four new Hricas represented in the 
accompanying plate are varieties selected from the fine 
batch of novelties in this way, which the Messrs. Rol- 
lison and Son, of Tooting, have lately introduced into 
~ commerce. This famous establishment long ago hit 
upon a capital idea in connection with the cultivation of cape heaths, 
and it was no other than to produce varieties destitute of the gummy 
exudation by which for the most part these plants are distinguished. 
The perpetual multiplication and enlargement of towns, and the 
consequent increase of coal smoke, have altered considerably, within 
the past twenty-five years or so, the conditions of heath growing in 
this country. The sticky flowers hold every particle of soot that 
falls upon them, and hence, as smoke increases in the land, we 
more and more need a race of ericas destitute of the sticky varnish 
which, when perfectly clean, adds so much to the decorative beauty 
of these flowers. Now, it is very singular that although this gummy 
exudation, which in the country catches flies and in town catches 
soot, dust, and flies, is really not absolutely requisite to the varnish- 
ing of the flowers, because one of Messrs. Rollison’s new varieties, 
Shannoni glabra, is absolutely destitute of stickiness, aud yet is 
polished like ivory, and in the way of a cape heath there is nothing 
known that surpasses its pure, paper-white colour, which, however, 
may be changed to a delicate rosy hue by exposing the plant to light 
and air. 
Our plate has been very carefully finished, and yet it conveys but 
a poor idea of the beauty of Messrs. Rollison’s new varieties. No 
art of man can convey a fair idea of their softly-shaded tubular 
forms, their transparent colours, and their exquisitely delicate pen- 
cilling. We must beg our readers to take the will for the deed, for 
we certainly have endeavoured to produce a faithful picture, and 
where it fails is where any and every picture must fail, for never yet 
has there been a sufficient answer given to the question of the poet 
Thomson, ‘‘ Who can paint like Nature ?” 
Erica effusa is not represented in the plate. It is a fine hybrid; 
the flowers are produced in large terminal whorls, they are of a 
bright scarlet crimson colour, with slightly reflexed primrose 
coloured segments. 
Hrica opulenta is represented in the centre of the plate on the 
left hand. The flowers are long and tubular, the colour a clear 
erimson lake, very different indeed from the dull red our printer is 
compelled to adopt, for in producing thousands of impressions at a 
low price colouring by hand is not to be thought of. Indeed, it is 
impossible to reproduce on paper the splendid colour of this 
charming variety. 
Erica ornata is represented in the centre of the plate on the right 
hand, and the figure is satisfactory. The flowers are large, much 
inflated, and verysmooth and delicately finished. The colour is deli- 
August. ‘16 
