Propagation of Cape Heaths. 47 



46. Choebar. — This is a very magnificent tree, bearing a 

 profusion of purple blossoms; the wood is very hard, and 

 consequently useless to the natives ; it is also called Qiieh-a 

 Haclia. 



47. Orejuela. — A species of Acacia, called, in Panama, 

 Curate ; it is a very durable wood, and is said to resist the 

 worm both of salt and fresh water. I am. Sir, &c. 



W. Hamilton. 

 Oxford Place, Plymouth, Sept. 2. 1828. 



Art. XIV. On the Propagation of Cape Heaths. By C. L. B. 



Sir, 



J. DoDDS (Vol. IV. p. 535.) says he was once told by a 

 a great heath-grower, that he, the said heath-grower, had 

 struck twelve hundred cuttings of the £rica vestita, in one 

 season, from two plants, but declined making known to him 

 his method of treatment. I therefore beg leave to transmit, 

 through the medium of your valuable Magazine, to J. Dodds, 

 or any other person who may stand in need of such inform- 

 ation, my mode of treatment. And I flatter myself that I am 

 perfectly competent to come in competition with " the great 

 heath-grower of Acre Lane," without being the least afraid that 

 his " secret art " would give him more plants, from the same 

 number of cuttings, than the one I practise and communi- 

 cate. 



The season for striking heaths, is any time from the first of 

 February to the end of July, when young shoots fit can be 

 obtained ; the said shoots, in some kinds, as the Sebana, &c., 

 can seldom be had more than half an inch in length ; others, 

 free growers, as the Pilosa, &c. a little longer. I seldom, 

 however, put them in longer than an inch. Previous to col- 

 lecting or preparing the cuttings let the pot or pots for their 

 reception be prepared as follows : fit the pot with a bell-glass 

 that will stand (when filled with compost) a quarter of an inch 

 within the rim, then place two inches of drain at the bottom, fill 

 up to within half an inch or an inch, according to the length of 

 the intended cuttings, with proper heath mould ; then fill up 

 the pot with fine river sand, or if that cannot be got, pit sand, 

 washed clean, and mixed with one fourth common white house 

 sand. Give it a gentle watering to make it firm, and let it 

 stand, for that purpose, while the cuttings are preparing, 

 which is done by carefully stripping off the foliage, at least the 

 half length of the cutting. Lay the root end upon the thumb- 



