174 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



then potted and otherwise manap;ed in precisely tlie same manner as 

 the old plants, excepting that they are put in small or large OO's 

 according to their size. 



Seedlings. — These are readily raised, but the amateur must not 

 expect to obtain many first-class varieties from the seed of the shops. 

 Even first-rate growers, who devote special attention to hybridizing 

 and seed-saving, only raise a show flower fit for the stage occa- 

 sionally, and therefore the amateur must not be disappointed if he 

 fails in raising first-class flowers from purchased seed. The seedlings 

 are not to be condemned altogether, for the flowers of a considerable 

 proportion will be very pretty, and where the amateur can only 

 afford to purchase two or three dozen named varieties they will help 

 to fill the frame, and swell the collection until additions can be made. 

 Auricula growers differ in their way of raising seedlings, some 

 raising in heat and some in cold frames. I prefer placing the seed- 

 pans where the germination of the seed can be assisted with a genial 

 warmth, because of the saving in time. But where it is not con- 

 venient to place the pans in a warm house, a cold frame will do very 

 well. The seed-pans will require a good Layer of crocks in the 

 bottom, and then to be filled with a mixture of loam, leaf-mould, and 

 sand. Press rather firmly, make the surfsrce level, and after the seed 

 has been sown regularly over the surface cover thinly with fine soil 

 and silver sand in equal proportions. The soil must be kept mode- 

 rately moist and in a shady situation ; the customary pricking off" 

 into other pans must be performed as soon as it becomes necessary. 

 As the seed is frequently a long time in germinating, the soil should 

 not be thrown away hastily, for sometimes plants will come up alter 

 those which first made their appearance have been pricked off". 



Eepottikg, which has to be done annually, is a very important 

 point, and one to which the beginner should direct special attention. 

 A simple compost, the advice contained in the bocks notwithstand- 

 ing, is the most suitable, and the cultivator is not likely to lose so 

 many plants as when the compost is prepared in an elaborate 

 manner, and contains a large proportion of stimulating stuff". Por 

 ensuring a moderately robust growth and fair sized highly-finished 

 flowers, a mixture consisting of three parts turfy loam, one part 

 thoroughly decomposed cow manure, one part leaf-mould, and suffi- 

 cient silver sand to make it feel gritty, is in every way suitable. If 

 available a peck of night soil, not less than six or seven years old, 

 and rei-embling in appearance ordinary garden soil, may be added to 

 every barrowful of the prepared compost with advantage, but can 

 be done without, and it must not be employed in larger proportions 

 or in a fresher state than is here mentioned. 



The middle of July is, I consider, the best time of the whole 

 year ibr the annual repotting ; some growers recommend the middle 

 ot" a month later, but long experience has convinced me that the 

 balance is in favour of the early potting. Auriculas are at the best 

 very slow rooting, and as it is important they should be well 

 established before the winter, there must be an advantage in affording 

 them the longest time possible. In repotting, turn the plants out 

 of the pots, carefully shake away all the soil from about the roots, 



