Expeditious Mode of propagating Cape Heaths. 681 



years old ; those of less vigorous growth should have all the 

 last year's shoots shortened to about an inch beyond the rino- 

 when brought down and tied to it with matting; by which 

 means their heads are more handsomely formed, and their 

 flowers are shown to more advantage, than when the head is 

 suffered to grow upright en masse ; and I am satisfied that they 

 flower more abundantly. As the appearance of the strings is 

 not very agreeable to a fastidious eye, I send you a sketch 

 (fg. 147.) of another standard, very useful for training roses of 

 the most vigorous growth. The price of the former, as charged 

 to me, was 3s. 6d. 3 three times painted; and of the latter, 5s. 

 I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



Charles Lawrence. 

 The Querns, near Cirencester, Oct. 15. 1832. 



Art. XVIII. A Description of a Method of propagating Cape 

 Heaths expeditiously. By Mr. T. Rutger. 



Sir, 



From my early days I have been an admirer of plants, 

 both exotic and indigenous ; and, among the former, the ericas, 

 or heaths, have always been favourites, as being, in my opi- 

 nion, one of the most beautiful tribes of plants grown. During 

 a long residence in the west of Cornwall, I was indefatigable 

 in collecting and keeping up a choice assortment of them ; 

 and, in order to keep up, as well as collect, I tried many 

 experiments to find out, if possible, a quicker and more 

 certain method of propagating them from cuttings, than by 

 the usual mode adopted, which, however successful, I con- 

 ceived to be tedious ; and, having at length succeeded to my 

 most sanguine wishes, as far as it respected the fast-growing 

 and slender-wooded varieties, I considered myself amply 

 repaid for all my pains. 



Early in the month of April, or as soon as the young shoots 

 were about an inch long, I made choice of my cuttings. In 

 taking off and trimming them for planting, they were handled 

 as delicately as possible ; as, when so young, they are extremely 

 tender. I then cut them with a keen knife, as near as possi- 

 ble to where they had been joined to the old wood, and put 

 them into a pan of water until I had a sufficient number to 

 make up a pot. This done, I made choice of one suitable in 

 size to receive the striking glass ; I filled it up nearly two 

 thirds with the siftings of peat, and the remainder with the 

 peat very finely sifted, which I moderately pressed down. 

 After pressing the striking glass on the mould, in order to 



