WINTER GARDENS. 
253 
they be such as are easily procured, and managed without difficulty, and, at the 
same time, bear a moderate price. 
Perhaps one of the very best plants for the smaller description of borders is 
that neat little undershrub which grows so plentifully on most of our upland 
moors and heaths, the Vaccinium Vitis Idee a , or common Cowberry. In many 
parts of the country this may be procured immediately from its native locality, 
and when divested of the moss and sedge that usually creep about its roots, and 
become entangled with its lower branches, it has anything but a common or 
uninteresting appearance. But by growing specimens expressly for the purpose, 
they may be brought to assume a much more densely bushy character than is com- 
monly seen amongst wild specimens, and thus rendered more fitting for their 
intended situation. V. macrocarpum and other trailing species may also be 
sparingly used ; but their long rambling habits prevent them from being so 
extensively available as that first mentioned. 
Two other British plants, easily obtained in many districts, and well suited 
for adorning the lesser plots, are Empetrum nigrum and Erica cinerea. It will 
be quite necessary, however, that these plants, and more especially the former, 
should be grown in the reserve garden, and prepared for this purpose at least a 
year previously, as they grow loosely in a wild state. Young plants of the latter 
may sometimes be obtained sufficiently dense and compact to be used at once. 
Nothing, however, can be more easy than to make them grow close and bushy ; 
for even the Empetrum , though commonly so straggling, when planted separately 
in a peat soil, usually assumes that character without further trouble. Several 
other species of Heaths, such as E. carnea , multiflora , and vagans, may be very 
properly added. These species are all readily propagated, and soon form neat 
plants ; the first, especially, grows in close dwarf tufts, and has the additional 
recommendation of flowering towards the end of February in mild seasons and 
favourable situations. Small plants only should be planted in the lesser beds, but 
larger tufts may be used with good effect for beds of greater dimensions. 
Pernettya mucronata is another excellent plant for small beds ; being a dwarf- 
growing under-shrub, with very dark green foliage, not much unlike the smaller- 
leaved Myrtles. It is easily multiplied by separating the numerous suckers 
annually thrown up from established plants, or by taking off cuttings of the half- 
i ripened wood. The latter method is to be preferred, as better plants are generally 
produced by it, and they are less subject to emit suckers than those which have 
' been originally raised from them. It will, however, be quite necessary to grow 
this species in pots, to prevent the roots from rambling too far ; for when they 
are suffered to extend without some check, similar to that effected by pots, they 
cannot be removed with a sufficient ball of earth about them to ensure their 
safety and healthy appearance through the winter. 
To this list we may add Polygala chamcebuxus , and the Minorca Box, ( Buxus 
balearica). There is no fear of either of these experiencing any damage from 
