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AN ENCYCLOPÆDIA 
OF HORTICULTURE. 147 
Auricula—continued. ‘ : i 
to night protection. It is, perhaps, better to cover every 
night than to run the risk of exposing the unexpanded 
flowers to frost, as the effect is very prejudicial; in fact, 
if subject to frost, smooth even flowers may not be ex- 
pected. 
Seed Saving and Sowing. The only way to obtain new 
varieties is by seed; hence the value of careful seed- 
saving will be apparent. Severe discrimination must be 
exercised in the selection of parents, and the flowers must 
be very carefully crossed. The anthers should be removed 
from the pistillate parent, if possible, before expansion, so 
as to prevent any possibility of self-fertilisation; and, when 
the stigma is ready, the pollen must be conveyed by means 
of a small camel’s-hair brush, care being taken not to mistake 
the brushes used in different classes. It has been observed 
in Auriculas that the issue from crossbred seed favours 
the pollen more than the pistillate parent; hence the neces- 
sity of selecting good pollen parents. It is best to confine 
hybridisation to separate classes—i.e., cross a Self with a 
Self, and a Green-edged variety with another of the same 
class. The importance of selecting the best in each class 
scarcely needs suggestion, having regard to constitution as 
well as the quality of the flowers. The seed should be sown ~ 
as soon as ripe, or early in March, in well-drained pots, filled 
with sandy soil, which must be well watered previous to 
sowing. When this operation is completed, the seed must 
be lightly covered with coarse sand, a sheet of glass placed 
over the pot, and the latter stood in the hand glass, where 
the offsets are rooted. Some of the seedlings will appear 
in a month, but the bulk from that sown when ripe will not 
be seen until the following spring; while others will germi- 
nate even during the ensuing summer. The late comers 
should be particularly cared for, as they frequently pro- 
duce the best varieties. When the seedlings are large 
enough, they must be pricked off in pots of sandy soil; and, 
when well established, potted off singly into small thumb 
pots, and afterwards encouraged as judgment suggests. 
Some growers allow the seedlings to remain in the store 
pots till they flower, when the best are kept, and those not 
required disposed of. $ 
Insect Pests. Green fly are often very troublesome, and 
should be exterminated as speedily as possible, by tobacco 
gation, or by dipping the plants in a solution of 
Gishurst’s Compound, or carefully prepared Fir-tree Oil, 
all of which are effectual. Many authorities denounce 
fumigation, while others advocate it. The roots are also 
attacked by a mealy louse, named Trama awricule, which 
clusters about the roots and collar of the plants, sucking 
nutriment therefrom; and although, provided they do 
not attack the collar, they have no greatly prejudicial 
effect on the plant, yet it is desirable to exterminate 
them. The only effectual way of accomplishing this is 
to remove all soil, and thoroughly cleanse the roots 
and collar in a solution of soft soap, with a little Fir-tree 
Oil added. Of course, this is most easily managed when 
repotting’; and, unless the plants are very badly infested, it 
would not be advisable to run the risk of root washing 
later in the year. 
Classes. Auriculas are now arranged in five classes, four 
_of which constitute what are known as “show or stage 
_ Auriculas,” while the other is known by the name of 
_ “Alpines.” Each class is characterised by special points 
of on, which, in the opinion of the strict “florists” 
school, it is of the utmost importance to observe; and as 
there is room for systematists in this, as well as in any 
other branch of iculture, we will follow the arrangement 
usually adopted, and describe the distinguishing features 
of, and enumerate some of the best varieties in, each class, 
with, their raisers’ names attached : 
Outer edge green, or but sparingly dusted with 
er ` powder ; next, a zone of y ich |- 
~ Porat ert, a zone of colour known as the body colour, whioh | 
most esteemed ; both edges of this ; 
the inner one, but there are few 
Auricula—continued. 
latter and the throat, this should be pure and dense, with a dis- 
tinctly circular outline at the throat; the throat and tube should 
be bright yellow. Of course, this ideal standard has not yet been 
reached, as there are supposed defects in all or some sections 
of the flowers at present known. Leading Varieties: ADMIRAL 
NAPIER (Campbell), ALDERMAN WISBEY (Headley), APOLLO 
(Beeston), CHAMPION (Page), COLONEL TAYLOR (Leigh), DUKE 
OF WELLINGTON (Dickson), FREEDOM (Booth), GENERAL NEILL 
(Traill), HIGHLAND Boy (Pollitt), IMPERATOR (Litton), LADY ANN 
WILBRAHAM (Oliver), LORD PALMERSTON (Campbell), LOVELY 
ANN (Oliver), LycurGus (Smith), PRINCE OF GREENS (Traill), 
PRINCE OF WALES (Ashton). 
bay Sie aa Edge heavily dusted with powder, so as almost 
to hide the normal green colour; other points same as the Green- 
edged varieties. Leading varieties: ALEXANDER MEIKLEJOHN 
(Kay), CHAs. E. BROWN (Headley), COMPLETE (Sykes), CONQUEROR 
OF EUROPE (Waterhouse), DR. HORNER (Read), F. D. HORNER 
(Simonite), GENERAL BOLIVAR (Smith), GEORGE LEVICK 
(Walker), GEORGE LIGHTBODY (Headley), JOHN WATERSTON 
(Cunningham), LANCASHIRE HERO (Lancashire), RICHARD 
HEADLEY (Lightbody), ROBERT TRAILL (Lightbody). 
White-edged. Edge so heavily dusted with farina as to com- 
pletely hide the green and give it a white appearance; the 
panas frequently as dense as on the paste portion ; other points 
ike the first. Leading varieties: ACME (Read), ANNE SMITH 
(Smith), ARABELLA (Headley), BEAUTY (Traill), BRIGHT VENUS 
Lee), CATHERINA (Summerscales), CONSERVATIVE (Dol » 
OUNTESS OF WILTON (Cheetham), EARL GROSVENOR 
FAVORITE (Taylor), FRANK SIMONITE (Simonite), GLORY (Taylor), 
JOHN SIMONITE (Walker), NE PLUS ULTRA (Smith), REGULAR 
Ashworth), SMILING BEAUTY (Heap), SYLVIA (Douglas), TRUE 
RITON (Hepworth). j : 
Selfs. Tube bright yellow, and circular at the top; paste dense, 
pure, with an even edge ; all the rest of the flower of one colour, 
without shades or edging ; any colour holds ing 
varieties: APOLLO (Hay), BLACKBIRD (Spalding), ©. J. PERRY 
(Turner), DUKE OF ARGYLE (Campbell), FORMOSA (Smith), GARI- 
BALDI (Pohlman), HELEN LANCASTER (Pohlman), LORD OF LORNE 
(Campbell), MAZINNA (Pohlman), METEOR FLAG (Lightbody), 
METROPOLITAN (Spalding), Mrs. DouGLas (Simonite), MRS, 
SrurRocK (Martin), OTHELLO (Netherwood), PIZARRO (Camp- 
bell), Topsy (Kaye). 
Alpines. Centre golden yellow, or white, and destitute of powder ; 
body colour various; edge one-coloured, shading off paler towards 
the margin. These are much hardier than any of the other 
classes, and will do well outside in most places. Leading 
varieties: A. F. BARRON (Turner), BEATRICE (Turner), BLACK 
PRINCE (Turner), BRONZE QUEEN (Turner), COLONEL SCOTT 
(Turner), DIADEM (Gorton), DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT (Turner), 
EVENING STAR (Turner), GEORGE LIGHTBODY (Turner), JOHN 
LEECH (Turner), Mrs. BALL (Turner), Mrs. DoDWELL (Turner), 
Mrs. LLEWELLYN (Turner), MEIKLEJOHN (Meiklejohn), 
Mrs. THOMSON (Turner), QUEEN VICTORIA Turner), RUBENS 
rner), SAILOR PRINCE (T SELINA (Turner), SPANGLE 
Turner), SYDNEY (Turner), TRIUMPHANT (Turner), : kF 
AURICULATE, AURICULATED. Having ear- 
like appendages. ; : ; ate 
AVENA (derivation obscure). The Oat. ORD. Gra- 
minacee. A genus of grasses with loose panicles and com- 
pressed spikelets. Of agricultural importance only, with 
the following exception, which is an annual of easy culture 
in ordinary garden soil. Propagated by seeds, sown in 
spring or autumn. 
A. sterilis (barren). The Animated Oat. jfi. in drooping panicles of 
large spikelets. k. 14ft. to 2ft. Barbary, 1640. An elegant plant. 
AVENS. See Geum. 
AVENUES. In forming an Avenue, the plan must 
neither be tortuous nor of a “tedious sameness,” but a 
gradually winding line should, above all, be obtained, which 
must in no way interfere with the view from the house. 
About 12ft. is the width usually allowed for the road, but 
this depends upon individual taste or idea—this remark 
applies to planting in double rows, the trees forming a 
series of triangles, or in single rows. The distance 
the road from one row of trees to those opposite 
at least 24ft. The Lime is extensively used for 
more satisfaction than the White — 
Sear ie 
