65 
ON THE USE OF HEATH-SOIL FOR FINE-ROOTED PLANTS. 
Probably there is no one subject within the compass of floriculture, on which 
modern scientific views have thrown so much light, as on the best nature and 
properties of that soil which is commonly called peat. And as this earth enters 
argely into most composts, and is extensively used by itself for many tribes of 
Diants, it is very important that correct opinions should be diffused regarding it. 
Believing that the notions current among the majority of cultivators respecting 
;his soil and its uses, are highly erroneous, we have deemed it necessary to present 
i few observations on the actual nature of heath-mould, and on those varieties of 
t which are most suitable for the cultivator’s purposes. We shall pointedly 
pndeavour to render our remarks as popular as possible. 
Heath-mould is strictly a mass of vegetable matter in a state of entire or 
partial decomposition, and is often likewise filled with vegetable roots of a hard 
lature, which have scarcely begun to decay ; and with sand, in greater or less 
proportions, as well as of various degrees of fineness. It is of very different 
qualities and textures, according as it is found on dry elevated places, or in shallow 
peds with a rocky substratum, or in low boggy parts with clay or gravel beds 
peneath it. That which is got on well-drained spots is generally of a lighter 
olour, and less compact, because filled with a greater proportion of root fibre. 
?hat obtained from wet and swampy situations is mostly black, of a close texture, 
odden, and destitute of much vegetable fibre. 
There are several varieties of these two principal kinds, and the various sorts so 
uninto each other, that it would frequently be difficult to say to which of these 
lasses any particular specimen belonged. Yet the distinctions we have named— 
sdth the exception of colour, which is not unvarying — will be sufficient as 
•ractical guides. 
Of course it needs no argument to show that the light-coloured, open-textured, 
ibrous heath-soil is that which alone the gardener ought to employ. The other 
p only fit for burning, or for building rude hovels or banks with. 
But there is another characteristic of heath-mould which may serve as a test of 
;s appropriateness for exotic plants ; and this is its sandiness. A smaller or larger 
ortion of sand is met with in almost all heath-soil ; and this is either minute and 
ritty, or approaching to the nature of fragments of sand-stone. Where it 
ecidedly takes the latter form, it may be regarded as a good ingredient, calculated 
) prove advantageous in rendering the texture more open. But where it is very 
nail, and exists in any quantity, it is to be considered a bad sign, for such soil is 
sually devoid of much vegetable fibre, and lies too closely together. 
The use of sand, whether as an addition to soil, or as a natural component 
lereof, will no doubt ere long be generally deemed injudicious, except for cuttings. 
VOL. xi. — NO. CXXIII. 
K 
