SOIL FOU HEATHS. 



73 



be prepared for any previous period in the compost yard prior to using ; 

 we rather think that the sooner it is used the better. As a substitute for 

 peat, some have recommended very rotten dung, decayed leaves, &c., 

 having a due proportion of gritty sand added ; and others have suggested 

 the addition of very rotten manure to be used vdth peat, with a view to 

 increase the rapidity of the growth of the plants. The former may be 

 used, in default of better, for hardy American plants, but the addition of 

 the latter is by no means to be recommended. 



A very interesting paper appeared in the first volume of the Gardener's 

 Magazine, on the culture of Cape heaths, by Mr. J. Bowie, a botanical 

 collector employed by the directors of the Kew garden, and who, having 

 had ample opportunities of studying the natural habits of the genus, 

 arrived at the following conclusions ; viz., that the soil in which the seeds of 

 heaths should be sown, ought to be rather sandy than boggy ; the soil for 

 the first potting off of seedlings should be three fourths sandy peat and one 

 quarter sandy loam. For the first shifting of young plants, one half sandy 

 peat and one half sandy loam ; for the second shifting, one fourth sandy 

 peat and three fourths sandy loam ; and for the third and future shiftings, 

 sandy loam only. To show the propriety of such treatment, Mr. Bowie 

 has selected the foUovring list of sorts, stating the nature of the soils and 

 situations in which they are found in their natural state. 



Linnasoides 



Tubiflora 



Colorans 



Albens 



Ampullacea 



Retorta 



Ardens 



Fastig-iata 



Fascicularis 



Caffra 

 Eriocephala 

 Gelida 

 Halicacaba 



Viscaria 



Blaerioides 



Viridiflora 



Sebana 

 Sexfaria 

 Plukenetii 

 Baccans 



Massoni 



Calycina 



Retorta 



Walkeri 



GraciUs 



I In runmng waters and springy grounds, a black vegetable 

 I soil. 



Shattered sandstone rocks, little or no soil, the roots embrac- 

 '^ing the stones in the crevices. 



1 Similar situations to the last section, but they thrive more 

 r freely in the moist chfts, 3000 feet above the sea. 



^ Decomposed sandstone, shaded by Scirpoidae, &c. 



I Decomposed schistus, lower parts of the mountains and second- 

 r ary hills, exposed to drought. 



[ In pure sand, exposed to heat and drought on the mountains, 

 [from 2000 to 5000 feet above the sea's level. 



