39 
at hand ; an old cucumber bed is sufficient. A good loam, 
neither too sandy nor too clayey, but of the two, inclining to the 
latter, is certainly a great desideratum ; for on this, in the main, 
depends the durability and support of the compost. Neverthe- 
less it may be well to mention, that either heath-soil or peat 
constitutes the chief portion of the soil used for those fine plants 
which so justly attract public notice at floral exhibitions. 
This kind of loamy turf may be procured from old rest pas- 
tures, ditch sides, road sides, or lanes ; but must possess the 
requisite degree of tenacity, or soundness; and should abound 
in vegetable fibre. If covered thickly with coarse grass, or 
other vegetable matter, so much the better. It should not, by 
any means, be cut or worked in a wet state ; but should be 
either housed or piled up in a ridge, and slightly thatched if 
out of doors, or a portion of its organic matter will, on decay- 
ing, be carried away by the rains. After remaining thus for a 
few months, it will become mellow, and proper for use; and may 
be chopped small with the spade as it is wanted, but should not 
be riddled. 
264 Heath Soil. This, which is so often confounded with peat, 
is altogether of a different character — the chief points of resem- 
blance consisting in their being decayed vegetable matter. Here, 
however, the resemblance ends, their texture being very differ- 
ent; for whilst Peat is very retentive of moisture. Heath Soil 
parts with it freely ; and this is indeed the grand distinction, 
and points out the propriety of caution in the choice of those 
materials for plant culture. Thus, for Fuchsias, plants requir- 
ing much moisture, I would allow the peaty character to 
predominate; whilst for Ericas, heath soil should prevail. 
Heath soil, however, varies much in various districts ; some 
heaths producing a profusion of moss amongst the stems of the 
heaths, which, in decay, produces a rather retentive earth, 
deficient both in sand and vegetable fibre. Where such is the 
case, the mossy upper surface should be rejected, as also that 
part in contact with the subsoil; the middle layer, full of heath 
roots, being reserved for pot plants. The best heath soil con- 
tains a considerable amount of sharp silvery sand, with abun- 
dance of roots, fresh, and in various stages of decay ; the sand 
should, if possible, constitute a fourth of the mass. It may be 
in turfs, and piled up in a sharp ridge out of doors, and if well 
260. AUCTAJUDM. 
