160 THE amateue's geeenhouse 



CHAPTEE XI. 



THE EEICA AND THE EPACEI9. 



Ie we could take a census of failures in plant growing, we 

 should probably find the greatest proportion of the whole 

 number associated with the Erica and the Epacris. It must be 

 confessed that to be thoroughly successful with these beauties 

 a somewhat broader exercise of judgment and patience is re- 

 quired than with many other classes of plants that are equally 

 popular and perhaps, in their way, not less beautiful. But 

 above all things steadfastness is essential to success, for a few 

 small errors, omissions, or eccentricities of management, may 

 destroy in a wonderfully short space of time the results of the 

 best cultivation ever seen or heard of. The greenhouse heaths 

 require no subtlety of superintendance, and in respect of 

 their cultivation there is really not a single solemn secret to 

 be divulged. All that needs be told about them may be com- 

 prised in one short chapter, and whoever will carry out our 

 instructions faithfully, may, by the practice of patience and 

 an observant habit, rise to the highest excellence in this 

 fascinating and most remunerative branch of practical horti- 

 culture. 



To begin with the multiplication, it must be first of all 

 remarked that as a rule it is far better to buy than to make 

 stock of ericas. But we are bound to suppose the amateur 

 anxious to propagate his choicest varieties, and the best course, 

 perhaps, for him to follow will be to put the ugliest old plant 

 of each sort required into a temperature of 50° in the month 

 of January. The reason for selecting the ugliest plants is 

 that subjecting the plants to heat is bad practice, and hand- 

 some specimens deserve better care than to be forced for 

 making cuttings. When the young shoots are three quarters 

 of an inch in length, slip them olf with the thumb, and then 

 remove the lower leaves and they will be ready for potting. 



