By Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq. 129 



previously been able to obtain it. Some seedling plants had 

 then acquired, at eighteen months old, (though the whole of 

 their roots had been confined to half a square foot of mould), 

 more than eleven feet in height with numerous branches, and 

 have afforded a most abundant and vigorous blossom in the 

 present spring, which has set remarkably well; and those 

 trees, which had been most abundantly supplied with manure, 

 have displayed the greatest degrees of health and luxuriance. 



A single Orange tree was subjected to the same mode of 

 treatment, and grew with equal comparative vigour, and 

 appeared to be as much benefitted by abundant food, as even 

 the Vine and Mulberry tree. 



An opinion generally, though I think somewhat erroneously, 

 prevails, that many plants, particularly the different species 

 and varieties of Heath, require a very poor soil in pots ; but 

 these might, I conceive, with propriety, be said to require 

 a peculiar soil ; for I have never seen the common species of 

 this genus spring with so much luxuriance, as from a deep 

 bed of vegetable mould, which had been recently very 

 thickly covered with the ashes of a preceding crop of heaths 

 and other plants, that had been burnt upon it. And I believe, 

 if the branches and leaves of the common species of Heath 

 were placed to decompose in water, and such water were 

 afterwards given to the tender exotic species, that these, 

 how heavily soever the water might be loaded with organiza- 

 ble matter, would be found as little capable of being injured 

 by abundant food as the Vine or Mulberry tree, though the 

 species of food, which would best suit those plants, might 

 prove to every species of Heath destructive and poisonous. 



