Culture of the Cape Heaths. 



365 



4. Viscaria, 

 Blasrioides, 

 viridiflora, 



5. Sebana, 



sexfaria, 



Plukenetiana, 



baccans, 



6. Massoni, 

 calycina, 

 retorta, 

 Walkeria, 

 gracilis, 



7. Mammosa, 

 metulseflora, 

 cerinthoides, 

 ignescens, 

 grandiflora, 



8. Vestita, 



filamentosa, 



cerinthoides, 



cruenta, 



versicolor, 



triflora, 



9. Urceolaris, 



persoluta, 

 arborescens ? 

 10. Vestita, 

 versicolor, 

 discolor, 

 hirta, 



> Decomposed sand-stone, shaded by Scirpoideee, &c 



{ Decomposed schistus, lower parts of the nioun- 

 ■ tains and secondary hills, exposed to drought. 



i In pure sand, exposed to heat and drought on the 

 ^ mountains, from 2000 to 5000 feet above the sea 

 i level. 



J 



!ln sand on the lower plains, frequently on spots 

 | abounding in natron. 



J 



! In loam with iron pyrites on the exposed plains 

 f and secondary mountains, enduring drought at 

 I times for several months. 



I Decomposed schistus, on the streams in deep shaded 

 I glens. 



j In stiff loam, and margins of woodlands, moist 



J 



glens, &c. surrounded by various Pelargoniums, 

 Scirpoideae, &c. 



E. cerinthoides is spread more extensively over the Cape 

 colony than any other species ; it thrives best in the most 

 exposed situations. 



The soils in which Nos. 1. and 4. are found, approach 

 nearly to some of our bog soils, but not precisely so ; so that, 

 excepting Nos. 1. and 4. as above, no bog earth is wanting; it 

 only serves to weaken the growth where a good sandy loam 

 would strengthen it, and insure good flowering plants for years. 



Fire heat, and a long confined atmosphere and smoke, are 

 injurious to Ericse ; fresh air ought to be admitted freely, for 

 although the finest species come from a warm country, yet 

 they withstand several degrees of frost. Some green-house 

 species will bear some British winters ; always better if in a 

 northern exposure. 



I am, dear Sir, &c. 

 Kern, May 31. 1826. J- Bowie. 



Mr. Bowie's information will probably lead to a revolution 

 in the culture of heaths ; and, by rendering it much more 

 simple, less expensive, and less precarious, tend to the dis- 

 semination of one of the most elegant families of plants. Of 



c c 2 



