128 ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS. 



them to stand in the seed-pots all winter. It is perhaps not easily 

 accounted for, but plants stand the winter better when potted oft' 

 in autumn in single pots, than if they were to remain in the seed 

 or cutting-pots all winter ; and the same rule holds good in regard 

 to potting off cuttings propagated at any period of the year 

 when quite young, that is, immediately after they have com- 

 menced making roots. This is not perhaps generally known, at 

 least it is not always acted upon, as many persons, from an idea 

 that the plants will become strong and better rooted, defer too 

 long the process off potting off, and, in consequence, lose both 

 time and many of their plants. It may, perhaps, not be quite out 

 of place here to observe, that such seedlings or cuttings as have 

 originated in the fine white sand of cultivators, should have their 

 roots completely cleared of it before they are potted in their 

 natural mould ; for although most plants emit roots in that sand, 

 it becomes injurious to many of them after they quit their 

 cutting or seed state. Directions for propagating by cuttings 

 have been already amply detailed, to render a recurrence to that 

 process here unnecessary. 



We may here however remark, that this family are less annoyed 

 by insects than most other exotic plants, still they are not entirely 

 exempt ; for that destroying insect, the green fly of gardeners, 

 sometimes attacks the heath, and as it is found impatient of the 

 usual remedy, tobacco smoke, the best cultivators dip the plant, 

 or parts infected, in a decoction of tobacco liquor. Mildew 

 sometimes attacks the heath ; but this, like the cause of its ap- 

 pearance in all other cases, must be owing to damp or stagnation 

 of air. To remedy this evil, has not always been found an easy 

 task ; indeed, we recollect, about two years ago, to have seen 

 nearly the whole collection of this family in the nursery of a cul- 

 tivator, who is allowed to be one of the best in the neighbourhood 

 of London, nearly destroyed by it. Free ventilation and a dry 

 atmosphere seem the basis of a certain cure, and the application 

 of flour of sulphur dusted on the plants, or put on them in form 

 of paste, may be considered as effectual in removing the evil. 



