SOIL FOR ERICAS. 



185 



repotting the plants annually, especially specimen plants, as the cultivator may easily err 

 in that direction, hut rather that sound judgment must be exercised, gradually gained 

 by experience, as to when a plant should be repotted. When the soil last added is 

 well occupied by roots, and not before, a shift should be given, doing this either in 

 March, April, or September, rather than during very hot summer weather. 



The soil that suits soft-wooded species is a mixture of equal parts of the best hard 

 brown peat, and softer, blacker fibrous peat, with a free admixture of sharp silver sand ; 



but for the slower-growing hard-wooded species the compost should consist of two- 

 thirds of hard peat to one of soft peat, with a few small potsherds of the size of kidney 

 bean seed, and sharp silver sand freely incorporated. The peat should be pulled in 

 pieces and all woody particles removed, and must be neither very moist nor dry when 

 used. The pots to be used should be one to two sizes larger than the plants were 

 previously in, or only just large enough to admit of good drainage and a little fresh 

 soil being given. They must be perfectly clean, and, if new, ought to be soaked in 

 VOL. 11. B B 



