A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

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H E A 283 HE A
ing air, without inconvenience, which
rendered the silver-mountings of my
green spectacles too hot to be borne
without their occasional removal.
So do certain plants flourish in hotwater
springs of which the temperature
varies between the scalding heats of
from loO*-' to ISO^ of Fahrenheit's thermometer;
and others have been found
growing freely on the edges of volcanoes,
in an atmosphere heated above
the boiling point of water. Indeed, it
is quite certain that most plants will
better bear, for a short time, an elevated
temperature which, if long continued,
would destroy them, than they can
a low temperature. Thus a temperature
much above the freezing point of water,
to orchidaceous and other tropical
plants, is generally fatal if endured by
them for only a few minutes ; whereas
a considerable elevation above a salutary
temperature is rarely injurious to
plants. But this is not universally the
case ; for the elegant Primula marginata
is so impatient of heat that, although
just about to bloom, it never opens a
bud, if brought into a room in which
there is a fire.
The temperature should always be
regulated, in our hot-houses, with a
due regard to the light. At night it
should be so low as to put the circulation
of the sap into a comparative state
of rest; and in dull days the temperature
should be full 10^ lower than in
those of bright sunshine.
HEATHS {Erica). This truly beautiful
tribe is in the climate of the United
States of but little interest. Scarcely
half a dozen of the almost countless
species and varieties of Erica have
proved capable of resisting the effects
of our restless climate. It is a curious
fact, that, though this genus is diffused
over Europe, Asia, and Africa, not a
single species has been found in the
Western hemisphere.
Varieties.—Of these the following are
good selections :
HARDY CAPE HEATHS, FOR FLOWERING
DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.
Erica Bowieana, white.
Grandiflora, yellow.
Ventricosa, pink.
Echitlora, purple.
Beaumontiana, blush.
Mundula, pink.
Cerinthoides, scarlet.
Erica Ampullacea.
Aristata,dark crimson and pink.
Aggregata, purple.
Vindiflora, green and pink.
Phrysodes, whiXe.
USEFUL KINDS ARE :
Hartnelli, pink.
Aristata ]\Iajor, red.
Acuminata longitlora, purple.
Tenuiflora, white, with pink
shade.
Inflata, white.
Archeriana, scarlet.
Depressa, yellow.
Elegans, light purple.
Cavendishii, yellow.
Mutabilis, light purple.
Retorta Major, pink.
Lamberti Rosea, flesh-coloured.
Hyemalis, purple, lipped with
white.
Tricolor, red.
Lirinaioides Superba, purple,
with white tip.
Jasmini, flora alba, white, and
all the varieties of Ventricosa.
VARIETIES BLOOMING BETWEEN NOVEM-
BER AND MAY.
Erica Verticillata.
Mammosa, M. pallida.
Hyemalis.
Willmoreana.
VVestcottii.
Grandinosa.
Arbuscula.
Umbellata.
Rubra P., alba.
Pyramidalis.
Transparens.
^— Regermirans.
Mr. Reid very justly remarks, "that,
in small establishments, the green-house
being generally furnished with vines, to
keep plants in them in summer is out of
he therefore selects three
the question ;
or four plants of only the winter flowering
sorts, such as would keep up a show
of bloom from November till April.
Early in May the plants might be all
taken out, and the house should be shut
up for the purpose of forwarding the
vines."
With something like the following
selection, a very nice show of bloom
might be kept up during all the time
that it is necessary to have the plants
in the house ; and thev are, with very