62 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
tween certain species, because some are winter flowerets and 
others bloom in summer ; but even this may be overcome by a 
little management. There is nothing ephemeral about an erica; 
it will continue in flower for a long time, and by getting the 
early flowerers a little earlier, and the late ones still later, they 
may be brought to bloom at the same period. The contrary 
method is generally pursued, and without success, because the 
operation of crossing, in that case, usually happens towards the 
end of summer, and the seed has not time to ripen before the ap¬ 
proach of winter. On the other hand, if it is effected early in 
spring, there is every chance of its reaching a full maturity. We 
have lately succeeded in obtaining a cross between Epiphyllum 
truncatus and E. Ackermannia (the one usually blowing at mid¬ 
summer and the other in midwinter) by pursuing this course. 
Editor. 
Dear Sir, “-As you wished me to offer a few hints on the 
Cultivation of Heaths, I have complied with your request to the 
best of my abilities, hoping these remarks may overcome the 
general idea of their being so difficult to cultivate, that few in¬ 
dividuals attempt to grow this beautiful tribe. 
The soil for these plants to flourish in is perhaps the first 
thing to be mentioned, for if they have not a proper soil, the best 
care and attention will be of no avail; I shall therefore recom¬ 
mend the peat from Addington Park and Wimbledon Common, 
to be used in equal parts mixed with silver sand, in proportion 
of one fifth, chopped up all together, (the reason I prefer chop¬ 
ping it up together is because the sand then unites with the turf 
more than when merely mixed by the hand.) The time tor 
fresh potting heaths depends entirely on the kinds, as they 
flower at different times ; the spring (March or April) is the best 
season for such as bloom in the autumn and those that bloom in 
spring, as soon as they have done flowering and begin to grow. 
In potting, be careful to secure a perfect drainage, with broken 
crocks, by placing one large one over the hole and a number of 
small ones besides, according to the size of the pot, and over 
the crocks some of the turfy peat, using a tew small pebble 
stones round the ball of the plant, pressing the fresh mould as 
