126 ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS 



cultivators advise their being sown immediately after their ar- 

 rival ; but we have hitherto found, that if sown too soon, that is, 

 in February or the beginning of March that they do not vegetate 

 so quickly, and, in consequence, many of the seeds are rotted : 

 for it is a maxim that should never be lost sight of in the culture 

 of this tribe, which is, that artificial heat should never be em- 

 ployed, excepting in some cases of slow growing kinds, that may 

 require a slight heat to draw the young shoots out to a sufficient 

 length for the purpose of cutting; but even in this case, they sel- 

 domer they are so excited, the better. 



Artificial heat, therefore, is injurious to the process of origi- 

 nating heaths from seeds ; we, therefore, in our own practice, as 

 well as from observation of that of others, prefer the latter end 

 of March or beginning of April for sowing these seeds ; the na- 

 tural warmth of the season then is sufficient to stimulate vegeta- 

 tion, and the young tender plants so originated have not the 

 chance of being destroyed by damp cloudy weather, which we 

 often experience in spring, and which would be of the utmost 

 injury to them in their young state. Where extensive collect- 

 tions of plants are kept up, and in all large nurseries, there is 

 generally a seed-house, that is, one expressly dedicated for the 

 rearing of plants from seeds ; such houses arc generally low, 

 having a northern aspect, as is the case in the Hammersmith and 

 other nurseries. 



Cultivators, who have but few seeds requiring such a structure, 

 content themselves, therefore, with a good garden frame and 

 glasses ; and as such is portable, it can be placed where it is 

 either shaded from the meredian sun, or great care taken in 

 shading it artificially. The situation of such a frame should be 

 both dry and airy, for damp would be extremely injurious to the 

 young plants. Pots should be prepared for the seeds, of ordinary 

 sizes, but those known as seed-pots are to be preferred ; they are 

 broad and shallow, which admits of a considerable surface for the 

 seed to be sown on, and of being rendered perfectly dry at 

 bottom. Great care should be taken in draining them, for al- 

 though the surface will require to be kept pretty moist, still no 

 impediment must be left whereby the superabundant moisture 

 would be prevented from passing freely off. The directions given 

 for draining cutting-pots will be, if acted upon, sufficient for this 

 purpose. The mould upon which the seeds of heaths are sown, 

 should be of the Bort called peat-earth, having naturally a con- 



