LEAF-MOULD FOR EXOTICS. 
137 
cultivate them in leaf-mould. The richness and porosity they require would thus 
be quite adequately furnished. 
What we have thus affirmed of Cacti, applies equally to such plants as the 
Echeverias, Pereskias, Euphorbia splendens, and probably Jacquiniflora ; and we 
have scarcely any doubt of its reference, likewise, to the pretty species of Mesembry- 
anthemum. Not a few of our readers will be familiar with the effects of a manured 
border on the species of the last-named genus ; and they too generally present a 
starved appearance in consequence of having a poor soil, when they might be both 
luxuriant and fertile in leaf-mould. 
To descend to the hardy department, there is a large tribe of plants, rather 
vaguely classed under the head of Americans, for which heath-mould is deemed 
requisite. Rhododendrons and Kalmias are illustrations. If at all exposed to the 
influence of a summer sun, however, and particularly if the weather should happen 
to be dry in the months of June and July, such things suffer seriously from drought 
when grown in heath-soil. For this reason, as well as to augment their vigour, 
some culturists use a compost of loam and heath-mouid, instead of the latter in 
its pure state, and the double object is in that way gained. It would, nevertheless, 
be more perfectly answered by leaf-soil, which would combine the good properties 
of both. A Rhododendron or an Azalea, in leaf-mould, would grow and bloom 
like a plant which was placed in the very best of heath-soil, where it could not be 
subjected to drought, and was supplied with just that quantity of manure which 
would strengthen its growth, without diminishing, but rather adding to, its 
fertility. 
All the hardy Heaths, Kalmias, and the like, will conform to the same rule. 
A heath, planted in moor-soil, is seldom uninjured by the hot dry weather of 
summer, unless it is in a shady situation. By putting it in leaf-mould, it would 
be comparatively safe from any such source of harm. 
There is, besides, scarcely a shrub or an herbaceous plant from the woody 
districts of North America, that would not derive benefit from having a border of 
leaf-mould to grow in. This is markedly the case with Asclepias tuberosa and 
decumbens, various species of Lily, the pretty Epigwa repens, all the Trilliums, and 
a large proportion of the annuals. Nemophila insignis blossoms splendidly in a 
bed of leaf-mould, and all the dwarfer annuals will do the same. 
Those who grow the Japan Lilies to the greatest beauty, notoriously cultivate 
them in leaf-soil. The lovely little Epimediums from Japan will also succeed best 
in this earth. Gentiana acaulis, which hardly any one cultivates well, may be 
easily reared in leaf-mould. And, in short, there are but few of the more delicate 
and low-growing hardy plants, of which Daphne cneorum may be further men- 
tioned, that will not flourish in unwonted richness if the border in which they are 
situated be one of leaf-soil, or if this be the earth of the precise spot in which they 
stand. 
Although, however, the species of plants for which leaf-mould is thoroughly 
vol. x. — no. cxiv. T 
