SEPTEMBER 237 



small and short, closely crowded on the twigs, leathery 

 and very thick in proportion to their superficial area. 

 Against extreme cold they are protected by their small 

 size and tough substance. Should mist or rime clog them, 

 their small size and vertical position expose them fully 

 to the action of the slightest breeze or the briefest sun- 

 shine, either of which suffices to free the minute stomata, 

 whereby the leaves absorb carbonic acid gas from the air 

 to combine with the mineral nutriment drawn up through 

 the roots. Thus the foliage of heather renders the plant 

 very patient alike of prolonged cold and wet, conditions 

 peculiarly incident both in high latitudes and at high 

 altitudes; but, strange to say, it is equally at home on 

 arid sandy wastes exposed to scorching sun. Here, again, 

 the thickness and small size of the leaves guard against 

 too rapid evaporation, preserving the plant fresh and 

 vigorous under conditions which would be fatal to more 

 succulent or sensitive herbs. Hence the amazing pre- 

 ponderance of heather over almost every other plant 

 across wide tracts of land. After nourishment and growth 

 have been arrested by frost or dense mist or drought, 

 heather is the first plant to regain activity ; it gets a start 

 of everything else, and never loses it. Only one thing 

 it must have plenty of free air. The fiercest wind-storms 

 cannot hurt this wiry little shrub; but nothing must 

 come between it and the blue sky and flying clouds. 

 Shade of trees it cannot suffer, quickly giving up the 

 ghost in dense forest, yielding place to brambles, ferns, 

 and other undergrowth. 



Many desirable varieties of the common heather have 

 been introduced into commerce for the decoration of 

 gardens. Among them all, perhaps Alporti is the most 



