WATERING ERICAS, 



,87 



spring. Only sufficient fire-heat should be afforded at any time to exclude frost or 

 expel damp. On the least signs of mildew, dust with sulphur. 



"Watering is an operation the importance of which cannot bo over-estimated in the 

 case of ericas. More plants are lost through reckless watering than from all other 

 causes put together. It is only by experience and close observation that growers 

 are enabled to decide exactly when to give water. 

 On no account ought it to bo given before the soil 

 has become somewhat dry, but not dry enough to 

 cause the hair-like roots to shrivel, the operator 

 being guided by the appearance and feel of the soil 

 rather than by ringing the pot with his knuckles. 

 Mere driblets of water are ruinous. "Wait till the 

 soil is in a condition to receive water readily, and 

 then apply enough to well moisten the whole of it. 

 Never draw water from hot-water pipes for these 

 plants, as there may be iron or other injurious ele- 

 ments in it. Nor ought hard water to be used, as 

 there may be lime in this, and mischief thereby 

 done. Soft rain water, or water softened by long 

 exposure in an open tank should, where possible, 

 be used, and failing this, experts recommend thin 

 or perfectly clear soot water as being safe and also 

 stimulating. A bag of soot sunk in a tank would 

 be capable of rendering the water fit for established 

 ericas for several weeks in succession. It must be 

 absolutely clear and weak. 



Very little pruning is needed in the case of the 

 slow-growing, hard-wooded species, the regulating 



Fig. 90. Erica mammosa. 



being done by topping young plants, and by 



training or depressing the stronger growths of larger specimens. In training 

 these only a few short painted stakes are used, either fine wire or strong thread 

 being strained from these in all directions so as to form a semi-globular head. 

 The training ought to be done in the winter, and the shoots then partially 

 recover their erectness before flowering, thereby obviating the stiffness which is 



be2 



