1871. ] 
SOILS FOR POT PLANTS.-NO. I. 
183 
The kinds of soils required may be comprised under the general terms of Peat, 
Loam, and Leaf-mould. These, however, are of various qualities. Taking Peat- 
earth first, there is the strong hard peat of Wimbledon and Wanstead—harsh 
uninviting stuff, but still admirable for the growth of Ixorcis , Boronicis , and other 
hard-wooded plants. Then there is the soft peat of Kent, Surrey, Worcestershire, 
and other parts of the country, differing in quality and suitability for plant 
growth, as it may be collected from high or low situations, and be wet or dry at 
the time of collecting. Wet or sour it should never be ; if it should be wet, the 
utmost care should be taken to rid it of all superfluous moisture before it is used 
for plants. As a rule the best, most healthy, and most suitable peat for the 
cultivation of the finer kinds of heaths and other hard-wooded plants, is that 
which is collected from upland situations, and is covered with a rich growth of 
wild heather. This herbage should be burnt before the turf is cut for stacking, 
which will both destroy surface weeds, and by charring the rude growth will 
deposit upon the surface a portion of the salts necessary to build up the fabric 
of the plants. I once had a few loads of this charred peat from Wimbledon, and 
when it had been minutely broken up and exposed for some weeks before using, the 
more difficult kinds of heaths grew in it with a luxuriance which I have never seen . 
surpassed. 
The best kind of peat for general purposes is that which may be procured from 
Mr. Epps, and which may be described as pure vegetable matter, so well aerated 
as to be in the condition most suitable for plant cultivation. The] plant-lover’s 
interest in his soils is not less marked than that of the stud-groom in his corn, 
or the chef cle cuisine in the meats which he has to prepare for table ; and with¬ 
out this feeling there is no superior cultivation. In collecting peat it should be 
cut in turves 12 in. to 18 in. square, and just the thickness of the active vegetable 
matter, which may be one, two, or more inches, according to the site from which 
it is taken. Low-lying peat may often be cut 6 in. thick, being generally the 
debris of moss leaves and coarser vegetation ; but, whatever the thickness, it 
must be cut so as to avoid the inert subsoil. The turves should be stacked 
up in narrow ridges, say two turves wide, so that the air and frosts, but 
not the rains of winter, may get through them. If the quality should be very 
harsh or wet, then place a few stakes or some rough wood between each la}’er of 
turves, so as to allow the air to circulate freely through the ridge. It is always 
wise to have a stack of upland peat for the more difficult plants, and another of 
soft peat for general purposes, such as growing soft-wooded heaths, Epacris , and 
Azaleas , and for mixing when the upland peat requires to be enriched. I 
never use the sandy under-surface which may be found upon some peat; but, on 
the contrary, if we do not avoid it in cutting, it is removed before the peat is 
carted from the ground. Of course much of the success of cultivation depends 
upon the mechanical action of the compost employed; but in the case of peat, 
always select it as free from extraneous matter as possible, break it down so that 
