VALUABLE BOTANICAL WORKS, Published by JAMES RIDGWAY, 169, Piccadilly, and all Booksellers.

1. THE BOTANICAL REGISTER. By SYDENHAM EDWARDS, F.L.S. and others, Vol. XI. Price 21 9s. Continued monthly. Each number contains eight finely coloured portraits (from life) of the most beautiful exotic plants, cultivated in the gardens and green-houses of this country, accompanied with their history, best mode of cultivation, propagation, &c. &c. Price 4s.

66 'Comparisons are odious, but when a work like the present meets our view, so little short, if any, of perfection, it is with more than ordinary pleasure we recommend a preference, certain of receiving the approbation of those who rely on our opinion."-Literary Chronicle.

"We look upon this Work (Edwards's Botanical Register) to be the only one of its class capable of bearing the inspection of the Botanist in all its departments; and for beauty of execution of its plates and typography, it stands unrivalled by any whatever which have come under our notice."***"It cannot fail to please every lover of this fashionable and very interesting science, as well as admirers of beautiful works in general." · Monthly Critical Gazette.

4. GERANIACEE, or NATURAL ORDER of the BEAUTIFUL FAMILY of GERANIUMS. By ROBERT SWEET, F L S. Vol. iii. 31. 158. Continued monthly. Price 3s. eaci The 5. CISTINEE. NATURAL ORDER of CISTUS, or ROCK-ROSE, By R. SWEET, F.L.S., Number VII. for July, and continued every alternate month. Price 3s.

6 THE FRUIT-GROWER'S INSTRUCTOR; a Practical Treatise on Fruit Trees, from the Nursery to Maturity, with Lists of those Fruits most worthy of Cultivation, both for keeping and immediate use. To which is added an Effectual Remedy for, and Prevention from, the canker in apple-trees. By G. Bliss, Nurseryman, 68. boards.

PICTORIAL PLANS.

- It is

many yoars since an attempt was first made to introduce a superior style of delineating estates, but custom and prejudice have in a great mea. sure prevented its adoption by landed proprie. tors. Convinced, however, that this, like other branches of art, must keep pace with the im. proved perception of the age, I have devoted much time and study to its acquirement; and though I do not see the possibility of converting a plan into a picture still I find it possible, by delineating the principal features of the park, **Those ladies and gentlemen who have pleasure grounds, &c., and by correctly repre lately become subscribers to Edwards's "Bota-senting the character of their timber, woods, nical Register," without taking the prior numand plantations, to produce a drawing which bers, (many of which were out of print,) are shall possess much pictorial beauty, and convey informed they are now severally reprinted, and such a general impression of the place as to will in future be always kept in print, that such form an extremely interesting and almost inas may prefer completing their sets gradually dispensible addition to a library or sitting room; and periodically, may do so without disappoint- utility and accuracy of a ground plan. I have the drawing, at the same time, possessing all the 2. SWEET'S HORTUS BRI- sometimes, in addition to this, taken a series of views, shewing the principal beauties and cha TANNICUS; or, a Catalogue of all Plants cul-racteristics of the seat. These, bound up with a tivated in the Gardens of Great Britain, reduced plan and written description of its whether exotic or indigenous, arranged ac- topography, antiquities, and capabilities for im cording to the Natural Orders to which they provement, form a pleasing manuscript illustra belong, with a reference to the Linnæan Classes tion, which is ever an agreeable companion and Orders; their Scientific and English Names, to a visitor, and a useful reference to the prowith references to the best Authorities; where prietor. native, when introduced, their times of flowering, duration, and references to the books in which they are figured; with numerous other improvements. The whole brought down to the present time, and contains many hundreds of Plants not yet published in any Catalogue of this Country. By ROBERT SWEET, F.LS. 1 volume 8vo. 18s.

ment.

3. THE HOT-HOUSE AND GREEN-HOUSE MANUAL, or BOTANICAL CULTIVATOR; giving full Instructions for the Management and best Method of Cultivation and Propagation of all the Plants cultivated in the Hot-houses, Green-houses, and Borders, in the Gardens of Great Britain; with plain Directions for the Management of Plants in Rooms, &c. Disposed under the Generic Names of the Plants, alphabetically arranged under the heads of the department of Horticulture to which they belong Second edition. By Robert Sweet, F.L.S. Price 12s.

"Of this very useful book, we perceive that a second edition has been lately published, containing much new information, especially upon the treatment of those plants which are the most difficult to cultivate. We recommend this work to every lover of gardening." Edwards's Botanical Register for November, 1825.

"It is a very complete and excellent work, and furnishes all the information that can be required on the subjects of which it treats." — Literary Gazette, November 1825.

"Indeed, what Mr. Sweet has said on the culture of bulbs and epiphytes in the last edition of his Botanical Cultivator, may be considered as the ultimatum on this subject for the British Gardener." Gardener's Mag. No 2. for April.

For the information of gentlemen who may wish to have a pictorial plan of their estates or parks, I think it proper to state that a fresh survey is not always necessary; an old one will generally answer every purpose, provided it is accurate. All that is required is to visit the place, to make sketches, observations, and corrections, the charge for which is so much per day and expences: but even this may sometimes be dispensed with; for a full description, on a rough plan, of the character of the trees, &c. will often answer every purpose. If a fresh survey is necessary, the charge is, for common arable land, 1s. per acre and expences; but a park or other intricate spot must be charged for by the day. I will now give some idea of the probable expense of the drawings. A small villa or residence, forming a drawing of from 10 to 15 inches square, would be about 2 or 3 guineas. A park, consisting of 50 to 200 acres, 20 to 30 inches square, 5 to 10 guineas. A common arable farm of the same space and quantity, 3 to 6 guineas. A combined plan of park and lands, from 300 to 600 acres, 50 to 60 inches square, from 10 to 15 and 20 guineas, according to the scale, quantity of work, and finishing; and so on to any extent of property.

Mr. J. Thompson will be happy to correspond with any gentleman who may feel inclined to employ him, or by calling at his residence they may see specimens of his style, and learn more of his charges. Auctioneers and land-agents, who have property for sale, will find that a pictorial plan is an advantageous mode of creating an interest and conveying a correct conception of an estate. No. 1. Wellington Strect, Waterloo Bridge, Strand.

THE

GARDENER'S MAGAZINE,

OCTOBER, 1826.

PART I.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

. ART. I. Hints for the better Cultivation of the Cape Heaths, derived from Observation of their Native Soils and Situations. By Mr. JAMES BOWIE, Botanical Collector at the Cape.

Sir,

THE publication of the list, in your Magazine, of Professor Dunbar's extensive collection of Erica has induced me to offer the following hints for the better culture of that beautiful and extensive genus, and which I hope will merit your notice, as they are taken from actual observations that are inaccessible to most persons. I am the more anxious to press the subject for your consideration, as being myself particularly interested in the collecting of the Cape species; and can receive no greater pleasure than finding that the labours of the collectors are duly appreciated by attentive individual culture; while, on the other hand, nothing can be more mortifying than to observe a careless inattention evinced towards those objects, in the procuring of which the collector has risked his life, by encountering dangers and undergoing privations which but few persons can surmount.

I do not pretend to improve the practical gardener in the propagation of the genus by cuttings, as this mode of increase is well understood and practised in this country; seeds are, however, much preferable, as requiring less labour, and, in some species, forming flowering plants as soon as those from cuttings. The most general (and, I consider, the best) time that large collections of seeds of the Cape Erica arrive in this country are the months of July and August: from the beginning of the former till the end of the latter month, or perhaps

later, is a favourable time for sowing them; they should not be sown thick, for, if the seeds are good, they are weakened by being close, and liable to injury by thinning them out in the seed-pots. Seeds of Erica I have known to vegetate well, after being twelve years in this country. The soil for the seeds should be rather sandy than boggy, and the pots well drained, to allow a free passage for the superabundance of water given during the winter months; though, until the seeds shall have vegetated, I do not consider any quantity of water detrimental. From various causes all the species do not vegetate at the same time; those which first come up should be separated from the rest and exposed to the air, and receive less water than those not yet up. The drier the plants are kept through the winter there is the less chance of their damping off, and they will be hardier and in a fitter state for potting early the following spring.

Soil for first potting off,
First shifting
Second ditto,

Third, and if possible final shifting,

sandy peat,, sandy loam, .
sandy peat,, sandy loam, ♣
sandy peat,, sandy loam, 3.
sandy loam only.

To show the propriety of such treatment I have selected a few specific names from the above-mentioned list, (conceiving that they are more generally known,) and stated the nature of the soils and situations in which they are found in their native wilds, and trust that this will assist the intelligent cultivator to arrive at a perfection in their growth, and in prolonging their existence, hitherto rarely attained, but so much desired by most cultivators, who at present turn from Ericæ in despair, and content themselves by fostering less beautiful plants.

Erica do not like frequent shifting, nor do they long thrive in soil that is finely sifted; stones, or even broken fragments of garden pots, of one fourth to one half inch in diameter, seem beneficial to the health of Erica, while finely sifted soil consolidates into an unwholesome and stagnate mass, preventing the free passage of superfluous water.

In running waters and springy grounds, a black vegetable soil.

Shattered sand-stone rocks, little or no soil, the roots embracing the stones in the crevices.

Similar situations as No. 2. but thrive more freely in the moist clefts, 3000 feet above the sea.

4. Viscaria, Blærioides, viridiflora,

5. Sebana,

sexfaria,
Plukenetiana,
baccans,

6. Massoni,

calycina, retorta, Walkeria, gracilis,

7. Mammosa,

metulæflora, cerinthoides, ignescens,

Decomposed sand-stone, shaded by Scirpoideæ, &c

Decomposed schistus, lower parts of the mountains and secondary hills, exposed to drought.

In pure sand, exposed to heat and drought on the mountains, from 2000 to 5000 feet above the sea level.

In sand on the lower plains, frequently on spots abounding in natron.

grandiflora,

8. Vestita,

filamentosa,

cerinthoides,

cruenta,

versicolor,

triflora,

9. Urceolaris, persoluta, arborescens ?

10. Vestita,

versicolor,

discolor,
hirta,

In loam with iron pyrites on the exposed plains and secondary mountains, enduring drought at times for several months.

Decomposed schistus, on the streams in deep shaded glens.

In stiff loam, and margins of woodlands, moist glens, &c. surrounded by various Pelargoniums, Scirpoideæ, &c.

E. cerinthoides is spread more extensively over the Cape colony than any other species; it thrives best in the most exposed situations.

The soils in which Nos. 1. and 4. are found, approach nearly to some of our bog soils, but not precisely so; so that, excepting Nos. 1. and 4. as above, no bog earth is wanting; it only serves to weaken the growth where a good sandy loam would strengthen it, and insure good flowering plants for years.

Fire heat, and a long confined atmosphere and smoke, are injurious to Erica; fresh air ought to be admitted freely, for although the finest species come from a warm country, yet they withstand several degrees of frost. Some green-house species will bear some British winters; always better if in a northern exposure.

Kew, May 31. 1826.

I am, dear Sir, &c.

J. BOWIE.

Mr. Bowie's information will probably lead to a revolution in the culture of heaths; and, by rendering it much more simple, less expensive, and less precarious, tend to the dissemination of one of the most elegant families of plants. Of

what other genus can it be said that every species, without exception, is beautiful throughout the year, and at every period of its growth?-in flower or out of flower, and of every size and age? Suppose an individual had the penance imposed upon him of being forbidden to cultivate more than one genus of ornamental plants, is there a genus that he could make choice of at all to be compared to Erica? Perpetually green, perpetually in flower, of all colours, of all sizes, and of many shapes!

As a fit companion to Mr. Bowie's communication, and a standing testimony in favour of our own opinion of Erica, we insert a list which has been in preparation for us for the last twelve months by Messrs. Rollisson.-We request the attention of our readers also to the catalogue of hardy heaths at Tooting. Those who have no green-house may still grow a very fine assortment in beds or groups of moist sandy loam, or of loam and peat, out of doors. One of the finest heatheries of this sort is the Duke of Bedford's at Woburn, where, besides Erica, there are others of the same family, as Menziesia, &c. to the number of nearly 30 species, besides varieties.

Mr. Bowie, who is now at Kew, intends to return very shortly to the Cape of Good Hope, and resume his labour of collecting the various interesting specimens of natural history of that country. Although botanical collections were the objects of his former travels, yet he was not inattentive to other branches of natural history; and from the various observations he there made, hopes to be useful in his future researches to those professors who are anxious to form extensive collections for their cabinets. We hope to be favoured with occasional communications from him on heaths, Proteas, and other subjects connected with that interesting colony, and suited for the Gardener's Magazine. Cond.

ART. II. List of Cape Heaths which have been in Flower in the Tooting Nursery in each Month of the Year. Communicated by Messrs. ROLLISSON, Nurserymen, Tooting.