THE HEATHER IN THE BRITISH COLONIES. 



drainage supplied, and friable, sandy loam, with some 

 leaf mould, being substituted. The plants bloomed 

 well, made some growth in May and June, and suc- 

 cumbed during the heat of July and August. 



The Heather in the British Colonies 



In order to make the information on the Heather 

 contained herein as comprehensive in its character as 

 possible, I communicated with gentlemen in the dif- 

 ferent British colonies concerning the plant in their 

 respective localities, and have pleasure in subjoining 

 their replies : 



In Australia 



Messrs. Searl & Sons, of Sydney, N. S. W., March 

 10, 1902, say: "We desire to say that the Scotch 

 Heather does not succeed in Australia at all. The 

 only heaths that are cultivated here are such as Erica 

 ventricosa, and others of this class. These thrive re- 

 markably well in Victoria, but do not succeed very 

 well in our state. They thrive best, as a rule, in light, 

 sandy soil." 



The Messrs. Searl were also kind enough to 

 obtain the views of Dr. Maiden, Director of the Bo- 

 tanic Gardens at Sydney, on the subject, who says : 

 "I know of no cultivation of Calluna vulgaris in Aus- 

 tralia. It requires much the same cultivation as Erica, 

 and it is assumed that it would flourish in the spongy 

 moorland plains of our Southern Ranges, e. g., the 

 Snaury Mountains." 



55 



