1050 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



narch, at his private expence, sent Mr. Masson, a most assi- 

 duous collector, two voyages to Africa, for the almost express 

 purpose, and by his exertions, the first collection of Ericas in 

 this country was formed. The late venerable Mr. James 

 Lee, in company with Mr. Kennedy, of the Hammersmith 

 nursery, may be looked upon as the first professional charac- 

 ters who embarked in this speculation, and their collection was 

 long looked upon as unrivalled in Europe. These were not only 

 the first commercial collections formed, but there also the mode of 

 culture first devised, which has been the means of disseminating 

 them throughout Europe, chiefly under the management and 

 direction of our late ingenious, although unfortunate friend, 

 Gushing. Subsequent collectors have added considerably to 

 this genus ; and although last, not least, that indefatigable 

 young botanist, Bowie, who not only visited Africa with a view 

 to discover new species, but also to draw conclusions fi-om 

 their natural habits, to enable us to improve their culture ; 

 and from the observations made by him, and freely communi- 

 cated to us as well as to others, there is no doubt, that had 

 he survived his second journey, this genus, which hitherto 

 has been considered rather difficult to propagate and cultivate, 

 would have been much improved by his valued observations. 

 A genus so interesting, and we may say, so long fashionable, 

 must necessarily have attracted the attention of home culti- 

 vators ; and from the profusion of flowers, which most of the 

 species produce, and their parts of generation being for the 

 most part so perfect, we need not be surprised at the many 

 hybrides which the care or curiosity of the cultivator has pro- 

 duced. To the valuable exertions of the Hon. and Rev. 

 W. Herbert, we are primarily indebted for many plants of 

 this description ; and fi:om his paper upon this subject, in the 

 Trans, of the Hort. Soc, we are led to infer, that this pro- 

 miscuous impregnation goes on to a considerable extent at the 

 Cape, where milUons of them must be in flower at the same 

 time. 



Heaths, like most other plants, propagate themselves fi:om 

 3eed, although most of those cultivated in this country have 

 hitherto been originated from cuttings ; few from layers, and, 

 so far as we know, none have been propagated by grafting, 



