130 x 'ON THE CULTURE OP ERICAS. 



of the different species. Some of the robust growing sorts may 

 be from an inch to an inch and a half in lengh, while others of 

 the more shy growing kinds can only be obtained about half that 

 length. The cuttings selected, should be chosen from the health- 

 iest plants, and taken off close to where they issue from the old 

 wood. In preparing the cuttings, the leaves should be cut clean 

 from the shoot, either with a sharp knife or fine pair of scissors, 

 the end should be cut transversely across in a neat manner, so as 

 not to leave the wound ragged or bruised. The leaves should 

 upon no account, be shortened, neither should any more of them 

 be taken off than just so far as the cutting is to be inserted into 

 the sand. 



With respect to the proper season for putting in cuttings of 

 this order of plants, and indeed of most other slow growing 

 kinds, the spring is the best, for the same reason given above for 

 sowing seeds> 



It sometimes happens, however, that cuttings cannot be ob- 

 tained in a proper state at that season : when such is the case, 

 recourse must be had to inducing the old plants to make wood fit 

 for the purpose. This is to be effected by placing them in a little 

 heat early in spring, they will then make plenty of young wood, 

 which is the best for cuttings. In extensive genera, like that of 

 Erica, it would be impossible to state any particular period of the 

 year for commencing the operation of propagation by cuttings, 

 because some one or other of them are in a fit state for the pur- 

 pose on almost every day in the year ; therefore, the time for 

 putting in cuttings should be regulated rather by the state of the 

 the plant than by the time of the year. 



In extensive nursery collections, where great quantities of 

 plants are wanted, one pot may be filled with cuttings of the 

 same species, when such can be got in sufficient quantities ; but 

 in private collections this is not necessary, for a few plants of a 

 sort, in general, are all that is required. When this is the case, 

 the kinds selected to be put in the same pot, should be nearly of 

 the same habit as can be judged of at the time. 



Unless this is attended to, one sort will be found to strike root 

 in a much shorter time than others of the same pot, which makes 

 it more inconvenient when potting them out. This, however, must 

 always happen to a certain extent, for a little difference in the 

 age or firmness of the cutting, even when the work is performed 

 by the most experienced hand, will often make a difference in 



