THE HEATHS 215 



E. arborea, but it is recorded to have reached 12 

 feet in height in Sussex. Farther west, in Dorset- 

 shire, it grows luxuriantly, and is certainly one of the 

 loveliest of evergreens that can be grown even in 

 that favoured county. Seeds afford the best means 

 of propagation. 



E. australis. — One of the most beautiful and rare 

 of all the Heaths, but unfortunately it is not so hardy 

 as the majority. In the southern and western counties, 

 however, it will thrive admirably, withstanding 20 

 degrees of frost without serious injury, provided the 

 winter is not unusually protracted. It is curious that 

 in spite of its beauty it is little known even in Corn- 

 wall, Devon, and similar localities, where it would 

 doubtless thrive to perfection. It has been grown 

 at Kew for the last six years, and although the winters 

 during that period have not been very severe, it has 

 stood out all the time, and it flowers regularly and 

 profusely every spring. It can be increased by 

 cuttings put in at the end of July or the beginning 

 or August. E. australis is a native of Spain and 

 Portugal ; it flowers in April and May, and lasts eight 

 weeks in beauty. The flowers are rich, bright, rosy 

 red, brighter, indeed, than those of any other Heath; 

 they are fragrant, pitcher-shaped, and about a quarter- 

 inch long. The species has been confounded with 

 E. mediterranea, which often does duty for it, but 

 it is distinguished by having the flowers produced 

 generally four or eight together in terminal clusters. 

 (Those of E. mediterranea appear in the leaf axils.) 

 Those who have gardens in well-sheltered or mild 



