342 



FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 



rapid growth require more pot-room and a less sandy soil than the slower- 

 growing kinds, which require to be potted very firmly in a very sandy soil. 

 Ericas are propagated by means of cuttings, — except, of course, when 

 raising new hybrids — which should be about an inch long and made 

 from the ripened tips of the basal shoots, in autumn. After the lower 

 portion has been divested of leaves, the cuttings are inserted in w^ell- 

 drained pots containing sandy peat, broken fine, with an upper layer of 

 silver sand. The cuttings may be put in pretty closely, the whole 

 watered, covered with a bell-glass and kept close, in a temperature of 

 about 60 degrees. They must be frequently overlooked to see that no 

 sign of mildew appears ; if so, it must be dealt with at once by removing 

 the affected cutting. The glass should be frequently wiped inside to 

 guard against mildew. No more water should be given until the slips 

 have rooted and growth has commenced, when the glass must be gradually 

 removed, and air and light freely given. It is not advisable to pot them 

 separately till the following spring, but as soon as they begin to make 

 gi-owth, the main shoot should be stopped, to promote a bushy habit. 

 After they have been separately potted they will require shifting twice 

 a year, for, unlike such subjects as Pelargoniums, they must never get pot- 

 bound. The potting compost should be the same as already mentioned, with 

 the addition of small pieces of thin crocks, scattered throughout the mass. 

 The repotting should be made at the beginning of spring. It will be 

 found that the species with soft wood are much less difficult to grow than 

 the hard- wooded kinds. On no account should animal manure be given ; 

 food should be given in the form of an annual top-dressing of fresh peat or 

 leaf -mould. 



DeBcriptionof Plate 164. Erica tvilmoreana, naimd. size. Fig. 1 is 



piatesmandies. an enlarged representation of a detached flower, which is 

 shown in section at 2, whilst the anthers and stigma are shown in the 

 natural position at 3. 



Plate 165. E. mdanthero, tlie Black-anthered Heath, natural size. 

 Fig. 1 is an enlarged vie^v of a leaf from above ; 2, an enlarged flower 

 with tlie protruding style and anthers ; 3, the same in section. 



RHODODENDRONS 



Natural Order Eric ACE JS. Genus Rhododendron 



Rhododexdrox (the old Greek name, from rhodos, rose, and dendron, 

 tree). An extensive genus of hardy and greenhouse shrubs, including 



