236 GREEN-HOUSE REPOTTING. [March. 



white, and verv abundant, in flower from January to June. 

 E. pulchella is likewise a most beautiful plant ; foliage very 

 small and closely set, flowers pure white, and in long 

 spikes, sweet-scented. E. impressa, foliage impressed, 

 and flowers of a rose colour. E. paludosa, flowers white, 



fows and flowers very handsomely, and is very fragrant. 

 . purpurdscens riibra is a variety, with good bright red 

 flowers. E. pallida, rose coloured, long tubular flowers. 

 E. nivalis, rosy white. E. Townii, beautiful rosy blush 

 colour. These with several others are very desirable. 

 They are mostly erect growing plants; flower from Janu- 

 ary till August, and a rough, turfy, sandy soil is found 

 most congenial. They are natives of the mountainous 

 districts of New South Wales. The pots must be well 

 drained ; the roots will run with avidity among the pot- 

 shreds. (Soil No. 6.) 



Ericas, heath. There are in cultivation in Europe 

 above five hundred and fifty species and varieties of this 

 magnificent genus. About sixty years ago it consisted 

 only of a few humble British plants, with the heath of 

 Spain, E. Af edit err anea, which is at present most common 

 in our collections, though in a few years we may expect to 

 see it supplanted by others more splendid. 



In their native countries they are adapted to a great 

 many useful purposes. In the north of Britain the poorer 

 inhabitants cover their cabins or huts with heath, and build 

 the walls with alternate layers of it and a kind of cement 

 made with straw and clay. They likewise brew ale and 

 distil spirits from the tender shoots ; and it has been known 

 to be used in dying, tanning, and many other useful do- 

 mestic purposes. Encomium on their beauty is not requi- 

 site; they are almost as diversified in colour as colour itself. 

 Many are graceful and elegant; hundreds are pretty; a 

 few noble and splendid ; others grotesque, curious and 

 odoriferous. To cultivate and propagate them is considered 

 one of the most delicate branches of floriculture. Never- 

 theless, it has been said by a scientific writer, that " those 

 who complain of the difficulty of growing the heath, are 

 ignorant people, who have never had a heath to grow." The 

 most splendid collection in Europe is under the care of Mr. 

 M'Nab, of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, where 

 there are two large houses devoted to their culture ; and 



