USEFUL GREENHOUSE PLANTS 303 



which there are many distinct forms. They flower during the early 

 months of the year, at which time the long shoots are thickly studded 

 for some distance with pretty little tubular-shaped blossoms. In colour 

 they vary from white to red, some of the pink tints being very pleasing. 

 All the Epacrises need very firm potting in sandy peat, and they may be 

 placed out of doors during the summer months. Directly after flower- 

 ing, the long shoots should be cut back to within a couple of inches of 

 their base, and as soon as growth recommences the plants must be re- 

 potted. They will thus be well established before the time comes to 

 turn them out of doors. In potting take care that there is good drain- 

 age, and in all stages of growth do not allow any extremes of drought or 

 moisture at the roots. 



Erica (Heath). This is the Heath family, most of which are natives 

 of South Africa, and though some of them are difficult to cultivate suc- 

 cessfully, others may with care be grown in a satisfactory manner. They 

 need much the same treatment as the Epacris just mentioned. Several 

 of them are valuable for their winter flowers, notably E. gracilis, rosy- 

 red ; E. caffra, white ; E. hyemalis, purplish-rose ; E. hyemalis alba, 

 white ; E. melanihera, blush ; and E. willmoreana, red and white. 

 Among the easiest grown of the summer-flowering kinds are : E. ventri- 

 cosa, pink ; E. ventricosa coccinea, reddish-pink ; E. propendens, pur- 

 plish ; E. cavendishiana, yellow ; and E. spenceriana, blush. Though 

 very chaste and beautiful, and with care they can be grown successfully, 

 neither the Epacrises nor the Ericas can be exactly recommended to the 

 beginner, at all events till the rudiments of watering, potting, &c., are 

 thoroughly mastered. Both are increased by cuttings, but it is a difficult 

 matter, and successful only in the hands of skilled propagators. E. 

 hyemalis is perhaps the most popular of the family. Sandy peat and firm 

 potting are essential. 



Erlangea tomentosa. An easily grown Ageratum-like plant from 

 Central Africa, that will produce its heads of pretty lilac-coloured flowers 

 throughout the winter months. Soil : good loam and leaf- soil. 



Eucalyptus. The Blue Gum (E. globulus) is naturally a large tree, 

 but it is a well-known pot shrub. The peculiar bluish green of the 

 leaves, and their warm aromatic fragrance, combined with the reputation 

 it possesses as a febrifuge, all serve to render it popular. It is readily 

 raised from seed, and the young plants obtained therefrom will make 

 rapid progress in ordinary potting soil. A second kind, E. citriodora, 

 has a pleasing lemon-like fragrance, but it is not so robust as the other. 



Eulalia. The Eulalias are a group of Japanese Grasses, valuable 

 for decoration. The best is E. japonica albo-lineata, that reaches a height 

 of two feet to five feet, the leaves being freely striped with white. It is 

 a great favourite with the London floral decorators. In the second kind 

 the leaves are transversely barred with yellow. Both succeed in ordinary 

 soil, and are increased by division. 



Eupatorium. The different members of this genus can be readily 

 grown out of doors during the summer months; when taken into the 

 greenhouse they will flower in autumn and winter. The blossoms, 



