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Heather occupies a unique place in the plant world. It is. allied to 
the broadleaf evergreens. It associates anicaempermerconifer evergreens. 
Some varieties flower in eerly summer, still more in the fall, a goodly 
numbor of distinctive ones in winter, and some extremely dependable ones 
reach the height of their glory in spring, 
Heathers vary in height fron flatly spreading ones like Calluna vulgar- 
is Mrs» Rona’d Gray to tall reaching speties like Erica arborea alpina. 
Few groups of plants require less attentions Best results follow when 
the soil for heathers is prepared ahead of time with weil soaked peat moss 
mixed with sandy loam to which has been added sufficient weli. rotted compost, 
or compost and manurg,to make the plants flourish, The peat moss serves to 
store moisture without which heather succumbs to late sumer dryness. A good 
mixture is 2-parts peat moss; l-part. very sandy loam; 1l-part well rotted com- 
post. = is 
Plants should be spaced far enough apart in natural groupings that 
hey will not overlap cach other when normal third to fifth year growth has 
been achieved. Neighboring plants, particularly those of lush growth, should 
be planted at a distance equal to their mature spread, 
Pruning of a@stablished plants should ordinarily be limited to the 
removal of spent blossoms by light shearing in an irregular manners Plants 
which have been neglected require more drastic pruning. They may then take a 
year or so to cover the bare looking framework which remains, 
Very young plants, as well as old ones which have exhausted the soil 
where they have been growing, need to be fertilized. Liquid fertilizer may 
be applied in late spring for foliage feeding as well as for root feeding. 
Use according to recommendations of tho nanufseqmmeme7 peat moss mulch in 
early spring will do triple duty if it contains ‘a light dosage of @_balanced 
fertilizcr and a dust to control Strawberry Root Weevil. 
Masses of heather make a showier display than do individual plants 
even in infinite combination, A few. varieties can be so selectcd that more 
than one scason is represented. Each group should be in scale with the total 
area to be planted. Contrast of foliage color and texture will add to the 
interest ereatcd by flower color and forms peti ne 
From Le Ny ROBERSON COMPANY 
1539 East 103rd Street 
a ale aha U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICU 
Seattle 55, Washington a ee 
WASHINGTON 25, D.C. 
PENALTY FOR PRIV. 
PAYMENT OF 
OFFICIAL BUSINESS 
BUY PRINTED MATTER 
HEATHERS To: 
NOW } Library, U. 8. Dept. of Agriculture, 
WASHING LON 25, D.C 
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~ SR acai 
ERT or pe PER. poe 
INFANTILE PARALYSIS} 
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