26 THE BOOK OF THE GREENHOUSE 



for years. The leaves should be frequently washed 

 either by syringing, which the plant likes during 

 summer, or by sponging during winter. 



Epacris. — These Australian Heaths make very pretty 

 little plants ; they greatly resemble the true Heaths but 

 are stirrer in habit and bear hard pruning year after 

 year, so that they may be kept as small bushes even 

 when they are many years old. Their bright sprays of 

 different coloured bells are produced in winter without 

 forcing and, as they last well when cut, may be used 

 for house decoration. Being rather delicate in root 

 action great care in watering is necessary. When the 

 plants go out of flower, cut back the shoots to about an 

 inch above the previous year's pruning. Keep in a fairly 

 close atmosphere for a few weeks and repot in fibrous 

 peat and sand when the new shoots are an inch long. 

 Do not let the roots be exposed to the air for any length 

 of time. About the end of July, plunge in ashes in a 

 cold frame, where the lights can be drawn off in nice 

 weather or, if no frame be at liberty, put them outside 

 in a position where they may have some covering in 

 case of heavy rains. In pruning, all weak shoots should 

 be cut out entirely. When under glass keep the plants 

 well up to the light. 



Ericas, — -These, the true Heaths, are very similar to the 

 foregoing in their requirements. A great point in their 

 culture is to keep the plants free from mildew, which 

 is their great natural enemy under glass. Some Ericas 

 flower in winter, and others at various times through 

 spring and summer, so that their general treatment must 

 be varied accordingly. They are divided into two 

 classes, viz., the hard-wooded and the soft-wooded. 

 The latter may be hard pruned like the Epacris, but the 

 hard-wooded sections will not bear this, and any 

 pruning done to them should be but slight, some 

 requiring none at all, being of a naturally bushy habit. 



