THE 
FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
April, 1843. 
ERICAS. 
WITH AN ENGRAVING. 
We have on former occasions adverted to this interesting 
genus, but it is so extensive, varied, and withal so exceedingly 
beautiful, as to fully justify a return to the subject. Subjoined is 
the treatment pursued by our respected friend, Mr. Fairbairn, 
who has held the direction of a most extensive collection for a 
long period, namely, that of Messrs. Fairbairn, of Clapham, 
which leaves us but little to say on the subject of general cul¬ 
ture. It has been said, over and again, that the cultivation of 
Ericas is difficult; how far this is correct may be deduced from 
the following article. We believe there is no more difficulty to 
be apprehended with these plants than with a collection of 
pelargoniums, only the manipulation requires rather more deli¬ 
cacy in the execution, and a close attention to minor details, 
such as the choice of earth, watering, shading, &c. 
There is peculiar interest attached to Ericas, from their readi¬ 
ness to produce new forms and colours by means of cross im¬ 
pregnation. Several splendid flowers have resulted already from 
this, but very much more may still be done. The variety of habit 
and form is sufficiently large to allow the most judicious selec¬ 
tion to be made with facility; what, for instance, could be more 
desirable than a combination of the habit of E. mundula with 
the size or colour of aristata, or the abundant bloom of grandi- 
nosa appearing on a plant with flowers such as Bowieana ? It 
may be urged that it is next to impossible to effect crosses be- 
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VOL. IV. NO. IV. 
