76 
HOVEA LINEARIS. 
ness, without a confused crowding of shoots to the obstruction of the prope 
exposure of the leaves, is the character which ought to be aimed at ; and as th| 
plants have a tendency to grow thin of shoots, this standard cannot be reached 
without frequent pruning. I 
Another fruitful source of failure is the continuance of watering with the sam> 
liberality whilst growth is suspended, as when the shoots are in course of rapii 
extension. Excess is as injurious as starvation ; and in this case it operates b^‘ 
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, make 
a suitable compost. 
Our figure was procured in March, 1843, from a plant at the exotic nursery o 
Messrs, Knight and Perry, Ohelsea. 
