32 THE FLORIST. 



THE AURICULA. 



The culture of that beautiful and fascinating flower, the Auricula, is 

 attended with little difficulty. The care which is principally required 

 is, to keep the plants in a clean state, by removing all decaying leaves, 

 supplying them with water during their periods of growth, admission 

 of air, and growing them in a simple and safe compost. 



The compost I have used for the last twenty years is made up in 

 the following proportions ; viz. two barrow-loads of cow-dung, at 

 least two years old ; one do. of leaf-mould ; one do. of pure light loam, 

 from an old pasture. These ingredients are intimately mixed, and a 

 sufficiency of fine silver sand added to keep the mass open and ensure 

 drainage. I contrive to have it all frozen through during the winter, 

 by removing the frozen surface, and placing it under an open shed, 

 where it remains till wanted. 



Treatment during November, December, and January. — In mild 

 weather I give the plants all the air I can, keeping them clean by 

 divesting them of all decayed leaves. The plants being now dormant, 

 I occasionally give them a little water to prevent the foliage from be- 

 coming flaccid, taking care not to wet the plants themselves. 



The first mild weather in February I top-dress, by removing about 

 an inch in depth of the surface-compost, taking care not to disturb 

 the fibres, and filling up to w'ithin a little of the foliage with new 

 compost, having a portion of old sheep-dung mixed with it. This I 

 believe to be the best top-dressing that can be used for the Auricula. 

 It causes the green edges to bloom with a more vivid colour, and in- 

 creases the size of the pips. 



After they are top-dressed, the plants must be set to work by being 

 regularly watered. Towards the end of the month they will be grow- 

 ing rapidly; at this time protection is requisite from sudden and 

 severe frosts, when the flow^er-stems have risen up above the foliage. 

 Frost acts most injuriously upon the blooms, causing the paste of 

 some to crack, and also distorting the pips. I cover my stages with 

 a thick carpet next the glass, and over that a layer of mats ; and even 

 this protection, ample as it would appear, is at times scarcely sufficient. 



I may state here that my stages face the north-east ; but imme- 

 diately after being top-dressed I remove those plants intended for 

 exhibition to a stage facing due south, and as they come into bloom 

 remove them again to the north-east, where they will only get the 

 morning sun. 



Many varieties produce more pips than is requisite to form a per- 

 fect truss. I need scarcely say that all those which are distorted and 

 superfluous must be removed carefully with a pair of sharp-pointed 

 scissors. A little experience will soon teach the cultivator the proper 

 number to be left on. 



During the months of May, June, and July they must be liberally 

 supplied with water, and the plants kept clear of decaying leaves and 

 flower- stems ; at the same time look out well for a small black cater- 

 pillar that attacks the centre of the plants, and if not caught in time 



