ERCILLA ERICA 517 



are securely nailed, it will form a heavy tangle. Its natural means of 

 attachment appear to be scarcely efficient enough to enable the plant to 

 bear its own weight on a vertical surface. 



ERICA. HEATH. ERICACEAE. 



Of the several hundreds of known species of heath, the vast majority 

 are native of the Cape of Good Hope; the only hardy ones are of 

 European origin. Of the twelve true species described in the following 

 notes, five are natives of the British Isles. These heaths are all evergreen, 

 and are distinct among hardy shrubs for the smallness and the great 

 number of their leaves, which are linear and usually have the margins 

 recurved so as to form a groove at the back ; they are arranged in whorls 

 of three or four, sometimes five or six. In stature these hardy heaths 

 range from small trees over 20 ft. high, to dwarf semi-prostrate shrubs 

 6 ins. high. The corolla varies from globular to cylindrical, and has 

 \isually four small teeth at the contracted opening ; it does not fall in the 

 ordinary way, but withers and remains long on the stalk encasing the seed- 

 vessel. Calyx four-parted ; stamens eight ; fruit a many-seeded capsule. 



The best way to use heaths in gardens is to plant them in broad 

 masses. Fine colour effects can be produced in that way by both the 

 early- and later-flowering sorts. But near London, or in places with a 

 similar climate, it would not be wise to plant large masses of E. lusitanica, 

 australis, arborea, and the hybrid Veitchii, which are tender, nor of 

 E. scoparia, which is scarcely worth it. They thrive in almost any soil that 

 is not strongly impregnated with calcareous matter; but carnea, medi- 

 terranea, darleyensis, cinerea, and possibly others, can be grown even in 

 such soils. The soil may have decayed leaves mixed with it, but it should 

 not be enriched by manure. The ideal soil is one of light sandy peat, 

 but that is by no means essential. 



In most gardens the soil is too rich for the dwarf heaths, and, in 

 consequence, they grow too fast and soft and become lanky, very different 

 from the dense sturdy plants one sees wild. To correct this, especially in 

 those that flower late, it is advisable occasionally to prune over the plants in 

 spring before they start growth. This makes them break into growth lower 

 down, and tends to keep them dwarfer and more compact. Whilst this 

 annual pruning is more especially needed by E. cinerea, multiflora, 

 vagans, ciliaris, and Tetralix, the early-flowering E. carnea and darleyensis 

 are also improved if treated the same way as soon as the flowers begin to 

 fade ; but with them it is not so necessary. 



Heaths can be propagated by seeds and by cuttings. The former 

 should be sown in very sandy peat in spring, and kept in a cool frame 

 until germinated : when large enough to handle they should be pricked 

 off into shallow boxes of similar soil, and when 2 or 3 ins. high planted 

 out in nursery beds or even in permanent places. But cuttings perhaps 

 are preferable. They should be made in July and August, of moderately 

 ripened twigs about i in. long ; side twigs of that length springing direct 

 from older branches are best. The leaves should be carefully removed 

 from the lower half, and for this work a very sharp knife is essential, so 



