cuttings in each pot as before recommended. The pots should be well drained with rough peat earth. The cuttings should be watered soon after they are potted, and then put under hand-glasses on a shady border during summer; and, as they get established in their pots, remove them to a shelf in the greenhouse, as recommended for the seedlings; such of them as are still in the cutting pots may be put in a hot-house, but not in a very hot or dry situation. The bell-glasses will require to be wiped frequently, and the cuttings regularly watered.

“Having treated of the Erica in its seedling and cutting states, I shall now advert to its more mature growth. Having alluded to them when they were five in a pot, which was in the spring succeeding their seedling and cutting states, and when they have grown too large for their pots, and consequently want shifting, this is done by carefully removing each plant with a ball attached to it, and potting it singly in a pot, similar to those from which they have just been taken, noticing to keep the ball of earth still uppermost, but planted below the rim of the pot; then set them in rows or groups, when they should be named and placed in a cold frame, arranging them alphabetically, according to their names, in order to see more readily the number of each sort, and, consequently, the duplicates to spare. They must be regularly watered during the summer months; but, if very rainy weather, the lights should be kept on; as a plant in a pot fully exposed is much more likely to be injured than if it were really planted out. As the winter approaches, the same routine they underwent the previous winter is no less applicable in the present instance.

I have now arrived at the third year since the ericas were seedlings and cuttings; and, as much can be said in this stage of their growth applicable to future years, it is my intention to do so. I set out with the idea of being anxious to stock a heathery, and to grow some plants for ornamental purposes. To attain this, the first and paramount object should be, to get some good peat earth, taken from a high and dry situation, full of nutritive vegetable matter; and, as its fertilising property ceases in proportion to the depth we go, hence the utility of not cutting it out much deeper than 7 in.; this observation must never be forgotten in the growing of Erica, nor, in fact, with any other plant. A portion of the peat earth should be broken up, and, if not of a sandy nature, let it be made so; clean and drain a number of 48-sized pots; then put over the potsherd or sandstone some rough pieces of peat earth, the roughest side next the drainage, and fill the pot sufficiently to admit the ball of earth attached to the plant; and take great care that the surface of the ball is just level with the pot, because it is at this shifting that thousands of ericas have been irrecoverably injured, in consequence of placing such balls perhaps 1 in. above the pot; and the result of such potting is, that as soon as the hot weather sets in, what with the heat the pot radiates, and the heat the peat earth is susceptible of retaining, we water and water, but still the plant looks sickly or dies; we turn it out of the pot, and see the roots apparently healthy, but, behold, all above the pot are burned. I have stated how the plant should be potted at this stage of its growth, and to what I attribute so many deaths, and the same principle holds good with the Erìca in a more advanced state of growth; because those roots which in the former instance were fibrous have now, in a great degree, assumed much of the nature of the bole or stem of the plant, from their having been brought up in proportion to the size or protective nature of the plant against the sun's rays. When the Erica is in a growing state, the stopping of the shoots should be attended to, as it gives them a bushy appearance, and prevents the necessity of staking, which is injurious, and inconsistent with their natural habits of growth. As the size of the Erica is, so should the roughness of the peat earth be with which it is potted. Ericas, to succeed fully exposed to the influence of the weather, should be potted some time before they are set out. A partial shade is necessary, and particularly so if the pots are exposed to the sun's rays; as I have noticed that, in proportion to the number of hot days, so were the sickly appearances of the

plants; the pots being conductors of heat, of course the roots that came in contact with them were injured. But, to show more clearly what I mean, as well as to explain how large plants of Erica may be grown in one year, I prepare a border, in a similar situation to that where the Erica were standing in pots, to the depth of 2 ft., with turfy peat earth; then select a number of duplicate plants (because a plant or more of the valuable sorts should not be exposed to the weather, but kept in frames or green-houses), and plant them at 18 in. or 2 ft. apart. These by the autumn will have grown into bushes, when the following directions must be strictly adhered to. In taking them up and potting, they should be lifted with balls according to their sizes; pots or wooden boxes should be got so much larger than the balls of earth as not to retard the growth of the plant. They should be potted in rough peat, and set on a shady border for a week or more; watering them over every dry day during the time they are there, when they should be brought out to an open and airy place, in order to prepare them for the green-house or heathery; but still a free admission of air should be allowed, except in frosty weather. This brings me in connexion with the heathery or green-house, on which I have some remarks to make respecting its construction. It has been the object of this paper to advocate the utility of light and air to Erica; but it will not appear less obvious that when I have alluded to these elements I have always guarded against any injurious consequences that might arise from them by change of season or situation, and it is to that end I now state that, of all houses for plants, a heath-house should be so constructed as to resist the most frost, and have the greatest command of ventilation, and so that the plants in it will not be at a great distance from the glass. I have said that air was indispensable to their health, as it hardens them for such a gradual transition as to allow a degree or two of frost without injury. I have seen more frost than this in a heath-house, but the bad effects were soon apparent; for this reason, that the house was easily affected by heat or cold, and hence the danger of frost getting into it, because of the plants being so soon excited after being frozen. I am quite sure that Erìcæ may be wintered in pots, and have more frost than plants in a heathery, and still not be greatly injured, as they may be protected from the sun's rays till the frost has been gradually brought out of the plants, then all their relative parts act and are affected alike by the sun's rays. If fire is given, which I consider it should be, when the thermometer falls to the freezing point, the plants can be kept healthy throughout the year. Water should be carefully given in winter, taking care that the mould does not get sodden; if any appear so for some days, look at the drainage. Syringings to be given in the morning in fine weather in winter, and in the afternoon in summer or the spring months, and every now and then shake sulphur over the foliage, which prevents mildew; damp increases it, hence the utility of free ventilation. The following is an example of what I have alluded to in the foregoing paper, as regards the selection of cuttings having an affinity to each other when inserted in one pot:

Mr. Sherwood listened with pleasure to the excellent paper just read by Mr. Caie. He did not approve of the system of raising the bole of the Erica higher than the rim of the pot. He would plant them half an inch below the sides of the pot, as he considers, when they are watered, their roots are distended; they are consequently elevated before they are in a fit state to be shifted into larger-sized pots.

Mr. Fish observed, that if one tribe of plants required our special care, or were more beautiful than another, it was the Erica. The best cultivators of heaths adopted the plan of raising the ball above the sides of the pot, and with success. Air and light seemed indispensable for the well-doing of the plant, and a situation where they may be exposed to the genial influence of the sun, and capable of free ventilation at all times. He prefers to sow the seed in sandy peat early in spring. He admired the system recommended by Mr. Caie of keeping the sorts similar in species together. The foliage of heaths can, without injury, bear intense sun; but ruinous effects are produced by the sun's rays heating the pots and burning the roots; plunging them in sawdust he found would act as a preventive to such destructive effects; 35 would be the lowest degree of temperature he would wish to see in a heath-house.

Mr. Keane considered the paper brought forward by Mr. Caie to contain excellent practical observations on the propagation and culture of the Erica. He recommended that moss should be placed on the pots during the intense sunshine of summer, which would retain the moisture and prevent evaporation. He was opposed to the experiment of exposing the Erica to the influence of frost, for, although they may not immediately appear to suffer, he believed that it would lay the foundation for diseases which may be accelerated or retarded by subsequent treatment. He considered the Erica was most difficult to be successfully grown, and which was confirmed by the general remarks of all practical writers on the subject. He did not think that they were likely to suffer by too much water, as the heath soil is so porous it would pass off in sufficient time to prevent the ill effects which follow from a stagnation of the water in the soil.

Mr. Caie would recommend all ericas to be shifted in the autumn, to keep them growing. He did not desire the total exclusion of light in the pits, but that they may be gradually inured to the light as the relative parts are brought

into action.

Mr. Fish agreed with Mr. Caie in procuring the top spit which contains more vegetable and nutritive matter.

Mr. Grey also coincided with Mr. Caie in the benefit of using the top spit. As the heat of the sun in summer is the principal cause of burning the plants, he placed one pot within another, and filled the intervening space with moss, which retains the moisture, and prevents the injurious effects so generally observable with heaths in summer. He believed that the system recommended by Mr. Caie very much simplified the culture of the Erica. It was like most of the secrets of art; when known, they are found to be perfectly simple.

Mr. Keane agreed with the hint thrown out by Mr. Grey, as it was generally admitted that the heaths suffered by the heat which is communicated to the roots by the sunbeams striking against the sides of the pots, and which would be obviated by the moss as recommended. As the Erica are apt to mildew, he advised to syringe them freely until it is washed quite clean from the plants, then give them as much air as possible, and by a free ventilation on a fine day they will soon become dry and restored to life and vigour.

Mr. Caie explicitly replied to all the observations made upon his paper, and remarked that he became acquainted with the West London Gardeners' Association through the kindness of His Grace the late Duke of Bedford, who first directed his attention to the subject, and whose memory he should ever revere, as in health or in sickness His Grace never ceased from doing good. The subject of heaths occupied his mind during one of the trying scenes of his busy life, and gave rise to that extensive collection at Woburn Abbey, where he (Mr. Caie) gathered the facts detailed to the meeting that evening.

ART. V. Regulations for the internal Administration of the Garden of the Horticultural Society of London. (Extracted from the Minutes of the Garden Committee, and ordered by the Council to be printed, Feb. 13. 1840.)

1. THE management of the Garden of the Horticultural Society is intrusted by the council to the garden committee, who meet once a month at least ; and during the intervals of their meetings, to the Vice-Secretary.

2. Under their direction the immediate superintendence is vested in the head gardener and three under gardeners.

3. For this purpose the garden is divided into three distinct departments, each under the separate charge of one of the under gardeners; who are held responsible for the good cultivation of the plants under their care, and have power to determine what modes of cultivation are most proper. 4. These departments are as follow:

(1.) The orchard and kitchen-garden department, including the houses for forcing fruit and vegetables, and the ground adjoining.

(2.) The hot-house department, including the green-houses and other houses, pits or glazed buildings, now existing or hereafter to be erected, for the cultivation of tender plants, together with all the grounds enclosed within the walls of what were formerly called "Experimental Gardens," with the exception of such part as may be occupied by the orchard and kitchengarden department.

(3.) The hardy department, consisting of the arboretum, flower-garden, and all the cultivated ground not occupied by the two other departments. 5. The packing and distributing of seeds, plants, &c., to the fellows of the Society, is independent of the above departments, and under the immediate and personal superintendence of the head gardener.

6. The men permanently employed in the garden are exclusively received on the recommendation of fellows of the Society.

7. The only exception to this regulation is in favour of foreigners, of whom no more than two may be employed at the same time.

8. The names and addresses of the candidates for admission are entered in

a book, in the order in which their recommendations are received.

9. Notice is then transmitted to the candidate of the points upon which he will have to give satisfactory evidence before he can be received into the garden, which are as follow:

(1.) That he has been employed for at least three years in some good garden.

(2.) That he can write and spell respectably.

(3.) That he is sufficiently acquainted with arithmetic to be able to keep

accounts.

(4.) That he is able to measure land, and make simple ground plans. 10. In case of a permanent vacancy in any one of the departments, that vacancy is filled up by the first on the list of candidates for admission, who is received upon complying with the above regulations; but, in the case of a vacancy being temporary only, then it is filled up by an extra man, engaged by the under gardener, in whose department the vacancy occurs.

11. The men are successively employed in the three several departments, the transfer from one department to another taking place under the following regulations:

:

(1.) There are two days in each year on which the men are transferred, and no transfers are allowed to take place on other days, such transfer days being February 1. and August 1.

(2.) On each transfer day a number of men, not fewer than one half, and as near that number as may be, are removed from one department to some other.

(3.) On this occasion each under gardener selects for transfer the seniors in his department, with the privilege of retaining any one or two of them until the next transfer day, provided the men are willing to stay with him.

(4.) When all the vacancies and persons to be transferred are declared, the men to be transferred have the right of choosing for themselves to which vacancy they will be appointed, the choice being given to them in the order of their seniority. The term seniority is always understood as applying to the period of employment in each department, and not in the garden generally. But if more men apply for admission into a department than there are vacancies, in that case the transfer is arranged by consultation with the applicants.

(5.) On each transfer day the under gardeners make out and sign returns, declaring what the conduct of each man transferred has been during the time he was employed under them; for which purpose printed forms are issued.

(6.) These returns, together with the general result of the transfer, are laid before the first garden committee which may meet after the transfer day. The returns are afterwards filed, and the substance of them is expressed in the certificates granted to the men under the regulations hereinafter given.

12. Previously to being recommended to a place as gardener, every man must pass an examination in measuring land, making ground plans, geography, the elements of botany, and vegetable physiology.

13. When any person employed in the garden is ready to undergo such an examination, he gives notice in writing to the Vice-Secretary, who appoints the time and manner in which the examination is to take place.

14. No person is, however, allowed to proceed to examination until he has passed through every department in the garden; and no examination is held in the months of December, January, February, March, or April, without the special permission of the committee.

15. The result of the examination is recorded in a book kept for the purpose; if it be satisfactory, a certificate to that effect is granted, and the person examined is entitled to be recommended to a place, provided his general conduct is approved of. The standard of qualification is placed very low by the committee, in order to render the system of examination applicable to all capacities; but the examiner has directions to raise it in those cases in which men desire it, and the certificates are varied accordingly. Of course those persons are considered qualified for the highest places whose examinations are the most successful.

16. The qualification of the person examined is stated in the body of the certificate, without any distinction in the form or class of such certificate, which also expresses the substance of the several under gardeners' reports of the conduct of the man whilst he was in their respective departments.

17. The examinations are verbal and private, and the result of each ex