On the Cultivation of Cape Heaths. 215 



season, with the exception of the Early Ann, which are not 

 injured by this fungus, and, ahhough the fruit is too delicate 

 for a market fruit, yet should be in every private collection. 



I am not aware, that any preventive of the mildew has 

 been discovered, which is applicable to common culture, and, 

 therefore, it is desirable to avoid the culture of all the serrated 

 varieties for which substitutes can be found, 



Rochester, N. Y., March, 1849. 



Art. V. On the Cultivation of Cape Heaths. By W. S. 

 Leach, Gardener to S. Rucker, Esq., Wandsworth, Sur- 

 ray, England. With Remarks. By the Editor. 



The heath, though acknowledged to be among the most 

 beautiful and attractive of greenhouse plants, is rarely seen 

 except in the collection of some ardent amateur cultivator : 

 and even there it is rare to find a well grown, healthy, and 

 fine-shaped specimen. There seems to be such a general im- 

 pression that it is next to impossible to raise the plants in any 

 degree of perfection that, at the outset, those who have them 

 make no effort to keep them in health and vigor. That they 

 are more diflicnlt to manage than some plants is true. But 

 their culture, once understood, is as facile as that of a majority 

 of greenhouse plants The character of their native climate, 

 — the nature of the soil in which they thrive, — their habit of 

 growth, — and their season of flowering once known, there is 

 nothing to prevent the amateur from possessing the finest 

 specimens of this exquisite tribe. 



Several excellent original articles have appeared in our 

 previous volumes, both by professional and amateur cultiva- 

 tors, and the information which they have imparted, we 

 doubt not, has been of great value, for the heath is now seen 

 in much greater perfection than formerly. The capital paper 

 by Mr. Towne, (Vol. V. p. 376,) was probably as full and mi- 

 nute in its details as any that could be written ; and all who 

 appreciate the heath will consult it and be aided by his ad- 

 vice. But, as we wish to place the opinions of all good cul- 

 tivators before our readers, we are pleased in being able to do 



