THE HEATH HOUSE. 153 



necessary to know that the cuttings are all well rooted 

 before entirely taking off the glasses, and before 

 attempting to pot them off. A cool pit or house is 

 best for them after they are well rooted and they are 

 potted off. 



Keep all Heaths moist at the root, but never give 

 them water while they are moist just for convenience, 

 that is, do not give them water if they do not require 

 it because you happen to be going away to-morrow, or 

 because you want to go home, thinking to yourself, ' If I 

 do not give them some water now they will be too dry 

 by to-morrow,' as is often the case with persons who 

 have the care of plants. It may do no great harm in 

 the case of Fuchsias, Geraniums, &c., but in Heath grow- 

 ing injudicious watering will prove fatal as surely as 

 you attempt it. But if, on the other hand, Heaths at 

 any stage of their growth are allowed to get thoroughly 

 dry at the root, there remains no remedy ; if they are 

 supersaturated with water equal failure will ensue. 



Heaths will not stand too much fire heat, nor must 

 the frost be allowed to reach them ; a damp, close and 

 confined air will also be injurious, as it will surely bring 

 mildew ; sufficient moisture at the roots with frequent 

 overhead syringing during the summer, and an abund- 

 ance of air with partial shade from the sun, these are 

 the necessary conditions for Heath growing. 



In the case of large specimens, progressive shifting 

 is necessary, and good drainage with frequent stopping 

 are essential to obtain fine and healthy plants ; but the 

 time of flowering of each species must be observed for 

 the discontinuing of the stopping. Stopping or the 

 nipping out of the points of the leading shoots must be 

 done immediately after the flowering is over, and onwards 



