76 HOVEA LINEARIS. 
ness, without a confused crowding of shoots to the obstruction of the proper 
exposure of the leaves, is the character which ought to be aimed at ; and as the 
plants have a tendency to grow thin of shoots, this standard cannot be reached 
without frequent pruning. 
Another fruitful source of failure is the continuance of watering with the same 
liberality whilst growth is suspended, as when the shoots are in course of rapid 
extension. Excess is as injurious as starvation ; and in this case it operates by 
souring the soil, and spreading disease and decay amongst the roots. 
A good black heath mould, rich in fibre, with a trifle of loam and sand, makes 
a suitable compost. 
Our figure was procured in March, 1843, from a plant at the exotic nursery of 
Messrs. Knight and Perry, Chelsea. 
