THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 13 



The process of pottiug sliould be performed with care. Remem- 

 ber that n. lodgment of water about the roots is ruin to this plant. 

 In its native position it grows on rocky ledges, where water cannot 

 lodge. The soil in which it thrives is that which consists of rocky- 

 debris mixed with decayed moss and herbage, and it is constantly 

 bathed with snow water warmed by the sunshine of the mountains, 

 where it shines with a lustre unknown in the plains. Large pots 

 are injurious ; four-inch pots will suit nine-tenths of all the plants you 

 have. Six-inch pots are the largest you dare allow for the largest 

 plant you have. Place over the hole in the pot a sound oyster-shell, 

 hollow side downwards. Next put in a few small nodules and pots- 

 herds of the size of beans or less ; next a few scraps of vegetable 

 fibre, such as moss or bits of turf. Now fill the pot half full with 

 compost, and press it in firmly. Turn out the plant and examine 

 the root, removing any offsets that may be formed, and taking care 

 to cut clean out with a sharp knife any portion of the root that is 

 tainted with decay. Get rid of nearly all the old soil, but do not destroy 

 the roots needlessly ; in fact, keep as many as you can. Any wouijds 

 that have been made must be dressed with charcoal dust, which will 

 stop the bleeding, and prevent decay. The last thing to do is to 

 examine the leaves and remove the green-fly, if any. The plant 

 must now be placed in its proper position, and the pot must be 

 filled up nearly to the edge rather firmly with compost. Give a 

 little water, and the work is done. 



The next business is to make the best possible use of the off'sets, 

 for by these alone are the varieties multiplied. There is no diffi- 

 culty in raising seedlings, but to increase named varieties, the only 

 certain method is by ofl'sets, and some kinds will not make a single 

 oft^set in two or three seasons. "We shall have to discuss some 

 points arising out of this important matter, but for the present I 

 will be content to say that the ofisets had best be potted in five-inch 

 pots, four or five of them in each pot, and all being placed so as to 

 touch the pot ; being placed close to the edge all round on purpose. 

 The soil to be used for this potting should consist of loam, leaf-mould, 

 and silver-sand equal parts, without any manure. 



The watering must be regulated by the weather, and the state of 

 the plants. In winter they grow but little, and require only as 

 much water as will keep them plump. They must never he dust-dry, 

 not even in frosty weather ; and if becoming over dry it will do them 

 no harm at all to administer water during frost. But unless they 

 really Avant it do not give it. When they begin to grow in Febru- 

 ary, they must be top-dressed. First remove about half an inch of 

 soil from the pot, and fill up with a mixture of one half decayed 

 sheep-droppings and the other half clean leaf-mould : press this in 

 firmly, and give water to complete the task. Always use rain water 

 if possible ; but where it cannot be had, make it a practice to put 

 two or three drops of hartshorn into every can of water drawn for 

 auriculas. 



In every stage of growth care must be taken to prevent lodg- 

 ments of water in the hearts of the plants. In fact, stagnant water is 

 death to them at any season and under any circumstances ; to pre- 



