ERICA. 



89 



kinds need less than the free-growers. As stagnant 

 water at the roots will destroy them, good drainage is 

 essential. A careful attention must be given to the 

 regular and proper amount of water. A day's 

 neglect or a drenching is equally fatal to the hair- 

 like roots, which cannot survive being either parch- 

 ed or sodden. 



Heaths want a low temperature ; nothing short 

 of frost is too cool for some varieties. Give them 

 a cool part of the house in winter and a shaded 

 northern exposure in summer. 



The seed of Cape Heath in mixed varieties, is 

 sold by florists. 



The Erica is easily increased from cuttings. In 

 March take an inch of the tops of the young shoots 

 and place half their length in damp sand, under 

 glass. Shade from the direct rays of the sun. give 

 air daily ; keep them slightly moist and pot them 

 as soon as rooted, in small pots. When the danger 

 of frost has passed set them out in the open ground 

 in a location shaded from the noon-dav sun. These 

 will make flowering plants the next winter. In 

 September pot and keep them in a cool shaded 

 place, until they get established. 



Old plants should remain in pots through the 

 summer. They may be sunk in the earth in a 

 shady place, and well sprinkled every evening. Re- 

 potting is necessary only when the roots become 

 matted around the sides of the pot and is usually 

 done- in the spring. Prune or pinch back the plants 



