Plate 486 . 
EPACRIS HYACINTHIFLORA CARMINATA. 
Among the plants which all horticulturists find useful in 
the duller months of the year for the ornamentation of the 
conservatory and greenhouse, there are none more so than the 
various varieties (now very numerous) of the New Holland 
Epacris ; by no means difficult to grow, profuse in blooming, 
and bearing the knife well, they are valuable for bouquets as 
well as for the greenhouse. 
Bearing a close analogy to the Ericas of the Cape, which 
they seem to supplant in New Holland, they require in many 
respects similar treatment ; disliking fire heat, they require 
only to be kept free from frost, and having the same delicate 
fibrous roots they need to have the same soil— i.e., simply a good 
fibrous peat, with a plentiful supply of silver sand. When the 
plants have (lowered, and before they commence a fresh growth, 
they should be repotted, taking care not to over pot them ; 
the soil should be then thoroughly saturated — for nothing is 
more injurious to them than to have what we too often see, a 
ball partially dry. After this they should be watered carefully, 
not keeping them too wet, but at the same time taking care 
that they do not become too dry. They may after some time 
be placed out of doors along with the other hard-wooded 
plants when that practice is adopted ; but even then it is 
better to have some protection to keep them from the heavy 
autumnal rains ; indeed it is better to house them again before 
that time. 
