76 



THE HEATHERY. 



of the balls be gently patted with the hand to loosen the outside fibres, 

 which, in healthy plants, will be found in abundance round the outside of 

 the ball, nor should any plant be shifted until such is the case. 



It appears to us that the free or luxuriant growing sorts thrive best in 

 rather large pots, and in a peat soil not over sandy, while the slow grow- 

 ing and slender sorts require much smaller pots, and a soil in wliich more 

 sand abounds, either naturally or by addition ; it is also necessary- that the 

 pots into which the latter are to be placed should be completely drained. 

 The latter also requires at all times much less water, because they are, for 

 the most part, found indigenous in soils and on situations where little soil 

 and less moistui'e abounds. 



BL^RIA AND SYMPIEZA. 



Two genera which very much resemble heaths ; natives of the Cape of 

 Good Hope, and requiring exactly the same treatment as Erica. 



EPACRIS. 



This beautiful genus thrives best in xerj sandy turf mould, of a peaty 

 nature. Cuttings strike best when taken off during winter or early in 

 spring ; they seldom succeed when struck during summer. They should 

 be planted in sand, and placed under bell glasses ; their treatment other- 

 wise, is not different from that recommended above for Erica. 



SPRENGELIA, ANDERSONIA, AND LYSINEMA, 



Have much of the Epacris in habit. They are propagated by cuttings 

 of the young wood, and also from imported seeds, exactly in the same 

 manner as Epacris and Erica, requiring the same soil and general treat- 

 ment. 



DRACOPHYLLUM. 



This is a singular genus of plants, very difficult to increase other- 

 wise than by seeds, and these are seldom imported, at least if they are 

 they seldom grow, for D. secundum is in particular a very rare plant. 

 Cuttings of the half-ripened shoots have been rooted in sand under a 

 glass in a moderate heat. 



ASTROLOMA AXD STYPHELIA. 



These are increased by cuttings, and require the same soil and after- 

 treatment with Andersonia. 



