25S 
CULTURE OF ERICA CERINTHOIDES. 
observation among practical men, that some Heaths may, with the most ordinary 
skill, be brought to a state of the greatest splendour ; while others demand the 
most untiring attention. Of the first sort, the varieties of E,, ventricosa will be a 
good illustration ; the varieties of E. vestita being examples of the second. 
The principal desideratum among these latter kinds of Heaths, is to get good 
bushy plants, not at all straggling, with plenty of deep green foliage, and the 
absence of that tendency to decay which is so often visible, especially in the lower 
portions of the plant. When these are secured, a profusion of bloom follows 
almost as a matter of course ; since the kinds in question mostly blossom towards 
the ends of the branches, and always upon the lateral shoots, if they are sufficiently 
strong. When, therefore, the plant is full of healthy shoots, there is something 
next to a certainty that it will flower finely. 
Perhaps E. cerinthoides, the species on which we are now to remark, can 
hardly be ranked among the most difficult to manage. It is, however, above the 
common order ; and, being much disposed to produce bare branches, and to grow a 
little rambling, it comes very near the t'estitas in regard to treatment. 
It is a very beautiful species, having its foliage prettily covered with down, 
and its showy scarlet blossoms arranged in a kind of coronet at the tops of the 
stems or branches. In the condition in which it is most common about our green- 
houses, it is seldom at all attractive ; being wholly wanting in that fine symmetry 
which gives so much additional grace to any plant. The branches are very 
irregular, generally crooked, mostly naked at the bottom, and flowering but 
imperfectly. 
There is a circumstance in the natural habits of this species which, when 
known, and the treatment adapted thereto, is calculated altogether to renoA^ate its 
appearance ; in short, to give it quite a new and superior character. This is its 
disposition to throw out a great quantity of young shoots from the stem, near its 
base, if at all encouraged to do so. 
When left to itself, and not w^ell managed in other respects, the tendency of 
which we have spoken is rarely manifested. But when the plant is potted in a 
good fibrous soil, liberally treated as to water and pot-room, and cut down nearly 
to the bottom of the stem as soon as it gets at all difl^use in its growth, it begins to 
produce new shoots in abundance, and will continue doing so afterwards every 
year, so that there will be the means of renewing the healthiness and beauty of 
the specimen ever at hand. 
We have seen this course of treatment pursued with E. cerint/ioides, and it 
was attended with the greatest advantage. The whole plant seemed to be 
invigorated by the process, especially after it had been performed once or twice : 
for, instead of the repeated operation weakening the specimen, it appeared to have 
a contrary efi'ect. At any rate, an increased profusion of shoots was thrown out at 
each pruning, and these were invested with the healthiest of foliage, and crowned 
with the finest of flowers. In the place of weakly, deformed, and half-naked 
