CHAP. Ill VILLA GARDENIXG 159 



well grown, specimen Heaths have a considerable value in a com- 

 mercial sense, and when they get too large they may be disi^osed of 

 to make room for the young specimens coming on ; it is always 

 best to have a relay of young plants coming on in succession, 

 because even under the best management plants will get old 

 and die. These young plants in summer will do well in a cold 

 frame or pit, but in A\dnter they will do better and be safer in the 

 house on shelves near the glass. In the summer management 

 many of the best cultivators prefer keeping their specimen plants 

 altogether vmder the shelter of glass, as then heavy rains or winds 

 cannot injiure them; but overcrowding in the house must be 

 avoided. It is better to grow only a few plants, and grow them 

 well, than have a large collection and spoil them by overcrowding ; 

 and no class suffers so soon from this as Heaths do, simply because 

 fresh air is an absolute necessity, and there cannot be an efficient 

 circulation when plants are crowded together. If a part of the 

 stock of Heaths must be turned out in summer, put out the soft- 

 wooded kinds, such as hyemalis, Willmorcana, Cavendishi, etc. 

 These kinds are rather benefited by open-air treatment from the 

 middle of July to the middle of September. Always, in potting 

 Heaths, keep the collar of the plants well up ; there is less danger 

 of over-watering when the centre of the ball is elevated from half an 

 inch to an inch above the circumference near the edge of the pot, 

 or a little more in the case of large specimens. 



The Epacris. — This may be associated with the Heath, having 

 some resemblance to it in character and growth, though as regards 

 the latter the Epacris is less dense and more erect in habit. It is 

 veiy valuable for winter flowering, and there are now many beauti- 

 ful varieties, including the garden hybrids, embracing all shades of 

 colour between pure white and bright crimson. The long shoots, 

 if well ripened, flower nearly their whole length, and are very 

 eflective as cut flowers, or the plants themselves may for a short 

 time be moved into any position where particular eff"ects are sought 

 to be improvised. In this respect they are much more manage- 

 able than Heaths. But though this is the case, no more risk 

 should be run than is necessary. If specimen Epacris are moved 

 to the conservatory, they shoiUd occupy a light position, be 

 carefully watered, and not remain there too long. When the 

 flowers ftxde, the young shoots should be cut back to within a 

 few inches of the base from whence they spring. Just after 

 the pruning a little higher temperature will be an advantage 

 to induce the new growths to come up strongly. This higher 

 temperature may be secured by keeping the plants that require it 

 altogether at one end of the house, with that end closed. Where 



