280 General Notices. 



surrounding soil to some distance, killing every rootlet coming within the 

 range of its influence. Some reader may possibly ask — " How am I to se- 

 lect soil in which I may be confident no oxide is present?" We reply — 

 By choosing such as is formed entirely by the accumulated decay of our 

 native heaths and their associated vegetation. If you examine the situa- 

 tions where such is to be procured, you will find it exists as a layer, vary- 

 ing in thickness, upon decomposing sand-rock, or probably a mass of pure 

 sand. In either case, when carting away the soil, be careful that none of 

 those substances accompany it. When the sods are dug up, any that may 

 have been cut too deep, can be easily pared away till nothing but pure de- 

 caying vegetable matter remains. You have then a prime soil, to which 

 sand may be added as required. Such a rich kind of soil cannot always be 

 procured, and the poor surface of the ordinary heath common has to be sub- 

 stituted for it. In that case, as inorganic matters preponderate to a large 

 extent, sand being in the ascendant, it is a good practice to mix with it a 

 large portion of decaying leaves. We do not mean to mix it with the com- 

 mon heap, but with the portion in immediate use, and thus : If large plants 

 are being ropotted, the soil will have been chopped up, and a large portion 

 of the fine particles disengaged during the operation discarded ; then take 

 the rotten leaves, which previously have been well broken up by being 

 forced through a fine sieve, and well mix with the soil on the potting bench. 

 If necessary, a little silver sand can be mingled at the same time. For 

 small seedlings, for cuttings when first potted oflT, or for young plants gen- 

 erally, a greater portion of sand than what is used for the adult plants may 

 be employed. For the two former, it is preferable to place three or four 

 around a pot suitable in size to contain the number, rather than to appro- 

 priate a small pot to each by placing it in the centre. In the former case 

 they root sooner and stronger, and when it is necessary to remove them 

 they can readily be divided without damage. The idea that heaths will 

 flourish in a poor soil, because it happens to be what is known as " peat 

 soil," is erroneous, as all clever heath growers know well eiiough. They 

 enjoy decaying vegetable matter equally with most other plants ; but, from 

 their peculiar nature, and the extreme delicacy of their roots, its quality 

 and mode of administration are subjects which require nice discrimination. 

 — ( Gardeners' and Farmers' Journal.) 



Art. IL Societies. 



WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL. 



The annual exhibition of the Society will be held at Horticultural Hall, 

 Worcester, on the 21st, 22d, and 23d of September next. 



Liberal premiums are oflfered for apples, peaches, and other fruits ; also, 

 for flowers, plants, and vegetables. 



The Committee of Arrangements are — D. W. Lincoln, Wm. M. Beck- 

 ford, Geo. W. Richardson, S. H. Colton, D. S. Messinger, C. Paine, Sam- 

 uel Flagg, S. P. Richardson, and Jer. Lovell, .Tr. 



