THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 263 
cessfully handled by those only who have had considerable experience. 
As a matter of fact, ericas may be grown most successfully by 
amateurs, and gardeners also, who are but imperfectly acquainted 
with them, and those who take them in hand for the first time may 
be well assured that with an ordinary amount of attention they will 
become sufficiently acquainted with their cultural requirements to 
enable them to produce excellent specimens. Iam enabled to say 
this after many years’ experience with Cape Heaths, and to state the 
case briefly, their cultivation is not attended with more difficulties 
than are met with in the manag2ment of other hard-wooded plants. 
The Ericas constitute one of the most important classes of green- 
house plants we have, for comprised within the genus are upwards 
of five hundred species and varieties known to science, and of these 
nearly three hundred are in cultivation. Of their beauty it is per- 
haps unnecessary to speak, but it must be said that well-grown 
plants, when in flower, are remarkably attractive, and seldom fail to 
bring much credit to the cultivator. A very strong family likeness 
prevails throughout—so strong, in fact, that after any one has be- 
come acquainted with a single specimen there is no difficulty in 
recognizing others as belonging to the family. Nevertheless, the 
flowers of the several species are so distinct in shape and colour that 
a very large collection may be had without having two alike. Indeed, 
a collection of from forty to sixty kinds, placed in a neat house by 
themselves, would form a very interesting and distinctive feature in 
a garden of moderate extent, and by judicious selection a good dis- 
play of flowers, extending over a considerable period, may be had. 
The propagation of heaths should not be attempted by amateurs, 
or, indeed, by any one who has not had special training in the propa- 
gating department of a good nursery, for under the most favourable 
conditions the cuttings are not remarkable for the freedom with 
which they strike. Great care is necessary in selecting and inserting 
the cuttings, and the most unremitting attention is required after- 
wards. Moreover, a convenient structure is required, and several 
years elapse before the plants attain a sufficient size to contribute to 
the attractiveness of the structure in which they are placed. The 
only course the private cultivator can take, with advantage to him- 
self, is to commence with bushy little plants well established in five 
or six-inch pots. These will bloom freely in the course of the season 
following their purchase, and in a few years form nice specimens 
and produce a rich display of flowers. 
A span-roof house is perhaps the best place for heaths as well as 
for hard-wooded plants generally, as they can be ventilated and the 
plants be more freely exposed to the light on all sides. This is 
practicable when they occupy a lean-to structure, and it must be 
constantly borne in mind that light and air are, so to speak, the very 
life of ericacious plants. They will do well enough in lean-to’s, pro- 
vided other conditions are favourable, but in alluding to their cul- 
ture it appears desirable to point out the form of structure best 
suited to their requirements. When grown in houses occupied with 
a mixed collection, the heaths should have the most light and airy 
position the structure affords. Especially is it necessary to avoid 
September. 
