326 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [No. 11 



cross-ties, some on top, others below, fastened by screws, so that the n!) 

 hop trellis presents the appearance of a very solid frame, which the ^A 

 wind cannot overturn, which the weight of the crop cannot bend, and 

 whose numerous points, directed towards the sky, establish along the 

 vegetable stalks currents of electric fluid, the benefit of which expe- 

 rience has proved. — Flore des Serres et desjardines de V Europe. 



Messrs. Editors : — Having seen a good deal of "blowing" in the 

 pages of the "Florist" about foreign gardeners, about plant growing, 

 and casting reflections on what they had seen and done in the old 

 country, in growing Chrysanthemums five feet in diameter, and fine 

 Heath's, and so on. Now, Messrs. Editors, I will ask you a few sim- 

 ple questions with regard to plant growing here and in the old coun- 

 try. In the first place, can you inform me who has a fine collection 

 of Cape Ericas in this country ; — secondly, has any gentleman or nur- 

 seryman ever devoted a proper place to grow them in. 1 think not. 

 You, sirs, are most likely, well aware that in the old country heath- 

 growers have a place set apart for growing them, whether on a large 

 or a small scale. I know that several gentlemen in and around Phila- 

 delphia have imported Cape Ericas; as soon as they arrive they put 

 them in the greenhouse, and most likely most of them die ; — imme- 

 diately the cry is, the climate will not suit them, or else the poor gar- 

 dener is blamed for not knowing how to manage them. But to manage 

 Heaths in a greenhouse is a very difficult task, either here or in the 

 old country. 



Now, sirs, what I would recommend for a fair trial of Heath grow- 

 ing, and for the foreign gardeners to gain a reputation in this great 

 country, would be the following simple method : 



Choose a north or a north-east aspect, and dig out about 18 inches 

 of soil; build a brick wall, say 12 feet long, 6 feet wide, 4* feet 6 in- 

 ches in the back, and 2 feet 6 in front, and leave behind and in front 

 of each light a square hole about 6 or 8 inches from the ground, with 

 a sliding door to cover it, so as to give the plants a free current of air; 

 and in fine weather also tilt up the lights. In the summer season the 

 plants may be plunged in ashes, but give a good drainage with rough 

 cinders, so that the air may circulate freely at the bottom of the pots. 

 Heaths in general require to be watered freely and regularly ; if left 

 to get dry, or too w^et, the foliage is apt to turn brown and to dropoff. 

 Water very sparingly in winter, and give all air possible, to keep 

 your pit dry and to prevent mildew. With regard to the cold — to J 

 keep the frost out is all that a Heath requires ; they will thrive better ^P 

 ^and keep a beautiful green foliage. Gj 



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