20 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
the Cape of Good Hope this beautiful family of plants were 
speedily brought into notice. The beginning of the present century 
saw the introduction of a great number of species to this country ; 
since when, they have been increased, and the species and varieties 
multiplied almost ad infinitum. But, notwithstanding this immense 
increase, and the very prominent place they now hold in the 
estimation of good gardeners, a prejudice is still entertained by 
some, that the cultivation of Ericas is difficult; this, though 
possibly correct in part, is erroneous as a whole. It may be 
allowed to be correct in so far that the treatment requires a 
little more delicacy than is generally requisite for some other 
plants ; yet, on the whole, with a moderate share of attention 
they may be grown to as great perfection as any other plants in 
our collections. I will now detail my method of cultivation, 
which being pretty similar, I believe, to that of most other growers, 
may perhaps be useful to those who take an interest in this 
beautiful genus. 
The first thing to be considered is the proper soil; — this should 
be a good rich peat, full of bright particles of sand, without any 
appearance of rust. Peat in its natural state seldom contains sand 
sufficient for the proper filtering of the water applied, consequently 
it is generally necessary to add some ; this should be of the finest 
kind,—that usually known as silver sand is the best. Before the 
peat is used, it should be turned several times and chopped to 
pieces, opening it to the frost as much as possible ; peat which 
has been so treated for two or three years is the most suitable. 
When about to use it, sift out a sufficient quantity, and mix it 
with the sand until the whole appears of a greyish colour. The 
pots used should always be either new, or very cleanly washed. 
In potting, which is one of the most particular things to be ob¬ 
served, always endeavour to get a good drainage ; for this, break 
small some clean pots, put about quarter of the depth of the pot 
full, and over them a few knobs of peat, then some of the com¬ 
post; place the plant perfectly upright in the pot, keeping the 
top of the ball rather above the rim of the pot; press the earth 
round the sides of the pot with your hand gently. It is the 
practice of some cultivators to ram the earth about the roots with 
a stick as hard as possible, in order, as they affirm, to prevent the 
earth drying ; but this, I am of opinion, has exactly the contrary 
effect, for the ball being so hard offers an impenetrable surface to 
