228 GREEN-HOUSE — REPOTTING. [^Mavch. 



E. grandijlbva has been celebrated ever since it was known; 

 the foliage is small, flat, and acuminate; flowers tubular 

 and pendulous, bright crimson, with a tinge of white, and 

 very abundant ; in flower from January to June. E. pidcMlla 

 is likewise a most beautiful plant; foliage very small and 

 closely set, flowers pure white, and in long spikes, sweet- 

 scented. E. i77i2)ressa, foliage impressed, and flowers of a 

 rose color. E. paluddsa, flowers white, grows and flowers 

 very handsomely, and is very fragrant. E, purpurdscens 

 r Libra is a variety, with good bright red flowers. E. pallida, 

 rose-colored, long tubular flowers. E. nivalisj rosy white. 

 E. Townii, beautiful rosy blush color. These with several 

 others are very desirable. They are mostly erect-growing 

 plants; flower from January till August, and a rough, turf}^, 

 sandy soil is found most congenial. They are natives of the 

 mountainous districts of New South Wales. The pots must 

 be well drained; the roots will run with avidity among the 

 potshreds. (Soil No. 6.) 



Ericas, heath. There are in cultivation in Europe above 

 five hundred and fifty species and varieties of this magnificent 

 genus. About sixty years ago it consisted only of a few 

 humble British plants, with the heath of Spain, E, Mediter- 

 ranea, which is at present most common in our collections, 

 though in a few years we may expect to see it supplanted by 

 others more splendid. 



In their native countries they are adapted to a great many 

 useful purposes. In the North of Britain the poorer inhabit- 

 ants cover their cabinp or huts with heath, and build the 

 walls with alternate layers of it and a kind of cement made 

 with straw and clay. They likewise brew ale and distil spirits 

 from the tender shoots ; and it has been known to be used in 

 dying, tanning, and many other useful domestic purposes. 

 Encomium on their beauty is not requisite ; they are almost 

 as diversified in color as color itself. Many are graceful 

 and elegant; hundreds are pretty; a few noble and splendid; 

 others grotesque, curious, and odoriferous. To cultivate 

 and propagate them is considered one of the most delicate 

 branches of floriculture. Nevertheless, it has been said by a 

 scientific writer, that those who complain of the difficulty 

 of growing the heath, are ignorant people, who have never 

 had a heath to grow.^' The most splendid collection in Europe 

 is under the care of Mr. M^Nab, of the Royal Botanic Garden, 



