EVERGREENS AND FERNS FOR INDOORS 101 



Laurustinus bears the botanical name of Vi- 

 hurnum Tinus, and thus it is closely related to 

 the common Snowball of the garden, the Vi- 

 burnum populus. 



Heather (Erica) , like the Aaalea, produces 

 a multitude of small, hair-like roots, and re- 

 quires loamy potting soil, rich in decaying or- 

 ganic matter. Good pot drainage is also 

 requisite, and rain-water should alone be given 

 these difficult Evergreens. As a rule they 

 stand cool temperatures unusually well, and 

 they must have plenty of air, though cold 

 draughts will speedily injure them. Do not 

 permit these plants to grow tall and spindling, 

 but keep them low, bushy, and compact, by 

 pinching and by frequent turning of all sides 

 to the light. This preserves symmetry. Few 

 house-plants make a greater show. A single 

 day's neglect to water a Heather, or a day's 

 over- watering, may kill the plant; therefore 

 many, through carelessness or lack of knowl- 

 edge of its requirements, have failed to raise 

 the Heather successfully. The following va- 

 rieties will be found the best for the window- 

 garden: Erica Cavendishii (yellow), E. caffra 

 (white and fragrant), E. hyemaUs (pink), E. 



