GENERAL TREATMENT. 



65 



is to plunge the pots into coal ashes, rotten tan, or similar matter, in a 

 rather damp, shaded border, covering each pot with a bell glass, and the 

 whole with a close frame and lights. By this method the cuttings are 

 longer in rooting, but as it is within the reach of everj^ one possessed of a 

 garden, however small, and as it is attended with less risk from inatten- 

 tion, &c., we recommend it to their attention. It is necessary in prepar- 

 ing the pots for the cuttings to select them of about equal sizes, say that of 

 thirty-twos, and to fill them to within an inch and a half of the top with 

 broken pots, cinders, coarse gravel, or small stones, over which a thin 

 layer of moss, (hypnum,) should be placed to prevent the finer particles 

 of mould fi'om being washed down amongst the drainage. The pot should 

 then be filled to the brim with fine, pure white sand, as free as possi])le of 

 earthy or irony matter, but as tliis is seldom to be procm^ed sufficiently 

 free of those matters ; it may be well to wash it by putting small quantities 

 at a time into a bag, and di'agging it frequently through a cistern, or 

 stream of water. ^Yhen put into the pot it should be well watered and 

 pressed fii-mly down, the smface made smooth and level, and the cuttings 

 put in as soon after as possible. 



In the propagation of heaths it has been almost universally maintained 

 that bell glasses should be used under all circumstances, that is, whether 

 they be placed in heat, in a shady border, cool frame, or pit. Experi- 

 ence has taught us that cuttings placed in heat succeed, for the most 

 part, better without glasses than with them : some of the most difficult 

 rooting sorts, such as the E. glauca, E. elegans, may be covered v^ith advan- 

 tage ; but these are few in number, and do not, if well managed, require 

 to b3 so often renewed as most others. ^Yhen glasses are used, the 

 greatest care must be taken that they be kept regularly wiped at least 

 once a day to prevent damp from destroying the cuttings. Cuttings 

 placed in a cool, shaded border, frame, or pit, should certainly be covered 

 with beU or hand glasses, and these should remain on until they are 

 rooted, and taken off only for the pm-pose of being wiped, and any damp or 

 mouldiness removed from the surface of the sand in which they are 

 placed. Regularity in watering, and also in shading, is absolutely necessary 

 to insure success, ^^^len the young cuttings have begun to grow, air must 

 be gradually admitted to them, so that by the time they are rooted and fit 

 for transplanting they may be able to vrithstand the sun's heat, and free 

 exposure to the air. In regard to their first potting, the directions already 

 given for seedlings is applicable also to cuttings, as it also is to their sub- 

 sequent culture. 



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