in the collection of Mr. Townc. 245 



With many other seedling varieties which have not flowered 

 with me, and that I do not know the name of. 



Those marked thus * have flowered in my collection. 

 Those marked thus f are now in flower. 



lours, 



J. TOWNE. 



Boston., June., 1838. 



The above list of ericas in Mr. Towne's choice collection, 

 will convey to all lovers of this elegant tribe of plants, some idea 

 of the number of species and varieties already introduced into 

 the country. It is but a few years since that there existed, in 

 our collections, but a limited number of difierent kinds. Being 

 one of the most difficult of all plants to introduce, from their in- 

 ability to stand a long voyage, the accession of new ones has 

 been very slow. And it has, we believe, been mostly by the 

 means of seeds, that the greater number enumerated m Mr. Towne's 

 collection have been procured. We know that several of them 

 exist in our gardens only by this mode. With the increasing 

 taste for this fine group, we shall look for a still greater addition 

 to the number already cultivated, and we hope nurserymen, 

 though heretofore unsuccessful, will not yet wholly give up their 

 attempts to introduce plants, many of the most charming kinds of 

 which rarely or never produce seeds in England. 



Mr. Towne's collection was made, in the first instance, to as- 

 certain, rather, whether the erica could not be grown without the 

 great pains, which, it has been frequently stated, are absolutely ne- 

 cessary to be observed in the growth of the plants than with the idea 

 of making a large collection. Having fully satisfied himself that 

 they are as freely cultivated as many other green-house plants, 

 he continued to increase the number of varieties and species, un- 

 til the present number has been accumulated. That the erica 

 can be successfully cultivated, there is no doubt, and that, too, 

 with but little more than ordinary management, which care in 

 the choice of the soil, and potting the plants, and a temperature 

 not too warm during winter, are all that need be observed in the 

 growth of the plants. Probably no cultivator in this country, 

 either amateur or nurseryman, has enjoyed a greater degree of 

 success in the growth of this tribe, than Mr. Towne. We have 

 had occasion to make mention of the health and vigor of his 

 plants several times, and it is unnecessary for us to repeat the 

 same here. An uninterrupted series of flowers is now obtained 

 throughout the whole year. 



Were we to select but one group of plants for cultivation, we 

 are inclined. to believe that we should take the erica. Small in 

 stature, beautiful in form, perpetually clothed with verdure and 



