ERICA INGRAMI (MR. INGRAM’S HEATH.) 
(Plate 126 .) 
This handsome hybrid Heath has been selected for illustrating 
our present Number, from a number of seedlings raised by Mr. 
Ingram, the well-known and esteemed superintendent of the 
Royal Gardens at Erogmore. 
Erica Ingrami appears to be a cross between E. hyemalis 
and probably Linnaea, or one of that class, for its exact parentage 
is not remembered. It is a very free-growing variety, remarkably 
compact and bushy, and producing its blooms in great abundance; 
it must therefore prove a valuable acquisition to this favourite 
family, and will doubtless become a popular variety when better 
known- Its period of blooming is from February to May, and, 
judging from its habits and alliance with the hyemalis class, we 
should say there would be no difficulty in inducing it to bloom 
throughout the winter months. 
The short notice of the Royal Gardens, found in another part 
of our journal, will inform our readers that Mr. Ingram is a 
successful hybridist with many other popular plants. The Royal 
Gardens have produced many beautiful seedling Epacrises, 
bedding Geraniums, Achimenes, besides which there is a number 
of fine varieties of Cinerarias, Calceolarias, Azaleas, Gloxinias, 
and many other kinds already proved or undergoing that trial, of 
which we doubt not some will turn out valuable and interesting. 
ORCHARD HOUSES. 
I HAVE been much interested in the discussion that has recently taken 
place in the Florist in regard to this matter; and although I have no 
wish to interfere in any way with the disputants, still there has been 
some doctrines and practices brought prominently forward, which 
appear to me altogether untenable ; I would, therefore, crave a small 
space in the pages of your valuable serial to point out the discrepancies 
to which I refer, in order that they may be discussed and something 
like an understanding come to on points of such radical importance;— 
and surely no medium can be more appropriate than the pages of the 
work in which this discussion has originated. 
It may be proper to premise that, like your correspondent “ Pomona,” 
I too am “ masculine,” possessing, however, an advantage to which that 
fruitist does not pretend, in having planned, erected, and cultivated an 
“ orchard house” of considerable dimensions, in which Peaches, Necta¬ 
rines, Cherries, Pears, Plums, Apricots, Figs, and vegetables are grown 
in the free soil, and from which Vines have been discarded; Strawberries 
