H EA 



285 



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prepared in the following manner. Fill ■ same manner as the young seedlings 

 them about two-thirds with broken pots, above described." — Card. Chron. 

 and cover these with a thin stratum of Soil. — " The best for the growth of 

 turfy peat, or some other substance to heaths is that rich brown turfy peat, 

 prevent the sand with which the pots commonly found on the surface of land 

 are filled up from choking the drain- where the native heath grows. Some- 

 age. The silver sand, common about times grass will be found growing very 

 London, is very well adapted for strik- strong on this soil, as at Shirley Com- 

 ing heaths ; but almost any sand will mon ; but wherever the land is barren, 

 answer the purpose ; it is generally pre- it is an indication of poor soil, and 

 ferred as free from the rusty colour of should not be selected. It is always 

 iron as possible. The cuttings may best to have it dug and brought home 

 then be inserted in the sand, not deep- to the compost yard at least a year be- 

 ly, but merely deep enough to support fore it is to be used. The fibrous mat- 

 themselves; from a quarter to half an ter will then have time to decay, and 

 inch is quite sufficient. They must will make excellent manure for the 

 then be well watered ; bell glasses are roots of the plants. During the winter 

 of great service in striking them, but and spring it should be several times 

 certainly not indispensable to success, turned over, and by this means the 

 When they are used, they must be fre- whole will get well mixed and exposed 

 quently taken off and wiped dry, other- i to the influence of the frost. Peat soil 

 wise the moisture will probably rot the is generally found naturally well mixed 

 cuttings. When they are dispensed with fine white sand ; but where this is 



with the cuttings should be placed in 

 a situation which is moist and shaded, 

 and then they will be surrounded in a 

 great measure with the same circum- 

 stances as under a bell glass. 



"Very little artificial heat is neces- 

 sary in striking heaths, much is certain- 

 ly injurious. A cucumber or melon 



not the case, a small quantity should be 

 added to the soil before it is used." — 

 Gard. Chron. 



After-Culture, Potting, 4c.— "As 

 the young plants grow and fill the pots 

 of a larger size, follow the different 

 sizes of the pots commonly made in the 

 potteries from ' thumbs' downwards to 



frame nearly exhausted, or the shaded those of a larger size. Thus the young 

 part of a cool stove, will answer the cuttings or seedlings are first potted in 

 purpose early in spring, and later in ' thumbs,' then in sixties, then forty- 

 the season, when thesun-heat is greater, , eights, and so on. At every shifting 

 a close fence slightly shaded is all that the neck of the plant ought to be kept 

 is required. The care required after- a little higher than the soil, and when 

 wards is to shade during bright sun- large pots or tubs are used, Mr. M'Nab's 

 shine, to remove into the shade early i plan of mixing small pieces of freestone 

 in the afternoon, and also to see that with the soil is a most excellent one ; 

 the watering is not neglected. of course it is necessary for the health 

 " More, perhaps, depends upon the of the plants to have the pots properly 

 kind of water which is used, and the drained and the worms kept out of them, 

 regularity with which it is given, than I " Heaths will not bear their roots 

 upon anything else in operation ; if we being cut or destroyed, particularly 

 except the selection of proper cuttings, after the plants attain a certain age. 

 Rain or river water is by far the best The shifting may be done at any season 

 kind to use. After the cuttings have except winter ; but this must be regu- 

 struck root they should be gradually lated in a great degree by the state of 

 hardened by exposure to the air before the plants, as they flower and grow at 

 they are potted off. Small thumb-pots so many different times. Spring, how- 

 are the best for the first potting, and ever, is the time when the most of 

 the soil used, should be very sandy peat, them ought to be shifted, and if they 

 The greatest care should be taken to are placed out of doors during summer, 

 preserve the young rootless from injury, they will all require to be looked over 

 because if this is not attended to, the again before they are brought into the- 

 plants will receive a sudden check at house in autumn. The kind of water 

 first, which is very prejudicial. After which is used for these plants is of the 

 potting, they should be removed to a greatest consequence in keeping them 

 close-shaded frame, and treated in the in a high state of health. When the 



