Soil

"The best for the growth of heaths is that rich brown turfy peat, commonly found on the surface of land where the native heath grows. Sometimes grass will be found growing very strong on this soil, as at Shirley Common; but wherever the land is barren, it is an indication of poor soil, and should not be selected. It is always best to have it dug and brought home to the compost yard at least a year before it is to be used. The fibrous matter will then have time to decay, and will make excellent manure for the roots of the plants. During the winter and spring it should be several times turned over, and by this means the whole will get well mixed and exposed to the influence of the frost. Peat soil is generally found naturally well mixed with fine white sand; but where this is not the case, a small quantity should be added to the soil before it is used." - Gard. Chron.

After-Culture, Potting, Etc

"As the young plants grow and fill the pots of a larger size, follow the different sizes of the pots commonly made in the potteries from ' thumbs' downwards to those of a larger size. Thus the young cuttings or seedlings are first potted in 'thumbs,' then in sixties, then forty-eights, and so on. At every shifting the neck of the plant ought to be kept a little higher than the soil, and when large pots or tubs are used, Mr.M'Nab's plan of mixing small pieces of freestone with the soil is a most excellent one; of course it is necessary for the health of the plants to have the pots properly drained and the worms kept out of them.

"Heaths will not bear their roots being cut or destroyed, particularly after the plants attain a certain age. The shifting may be done at any season except winter; but this must be regulated in a great degree by the state of the plants, as they flower and grow at so many different times. Spring, however, is the time when the most of them ought to be shifted, and if they are placed out of doors during summer, they will all require to be looked over again before they are brought into the -house in autumn. The kind of water which is used for these plants is of the greatest consequence in keeping them in a high state of health. When the pots are properly drained, there is not much danger to be apprehended from over watering; but the plants are sure to suffer if the ball is allowed to get too dry, and hence the great use of small pieces of freestone, recommended by Mr. M'Nab. In the winter season, when there is any danger from frost, heaths and all other hardy green-house plants should always be watered in the early part of the day, as they are much more likely to be injured if watered in the afternoon. It is the best plan under these circumstances to keep them as dry as they will bear without injury, for wet soil freezes much sooner than dry.

Frequent syringing is also of great use in fine weather; but this must never be done when the plants are likely to suffer from damp, or when the weather is cold and frosty. The principal art of making fine specimens of heaths, consists in dwarfing them, and forming them into round green bushes. This is done by pinching out the points of the shoots when the plants are young, and continuing the practice whenever the stems are inclined to grow long-jointed. It must, however, be done in a judicious manner, otherwise if done at the wrong season the flowering will be spoiled. The proper time is after the flowering season is past, or when the plant is growing freely, and before it has begun to form its flower buds." - Gard. Chron.