TO THE FLOWER GARDEN. 227 



months, between Marcli and May. This class may be grown 

 in pots or on rockwork, in peat and loam, and require 

 chiefly to be kept cool and moist in summer, but in winter 

 must be kept rather dry as well as cool. Seeds of these 

 may be sown about May, that the plants may acquire strength 

 before winter. 



Primula auricula. — The cultivated varieties of this 

 species of Primula are commonly known as the Auricula. 

 There is hardly a flower that presents such an appearance 

 of artificial structure as the Auricula : the surface appears 

 covered, like a butterfly's wing, with a powder, which the 

 touch of the finger brings off, thereby spoiling the flower. 

 A stage of Auriculas is a really beautiful sight. Some old 

 books on the culture of this flower recommend the most 

 nauseous composts for its growth ; it is, however, absurd to 

 pretend that anything disagreeable is necessary for the pur- 

 pose. Loam from rotted turves two-thirds, and decomposed 

 dung fairly rotted into mould one-third, will be found excel- 

 lent compost for them to grow in ; and if the loam be a little 

 adhesive, which it ought not to be, some silver sand may be 

 mixed with it. The pots in which they grow should be one- 

 third filled with broken pots, to secure complete drainage, 

 and in potting the plants the fibres of the roots should be 

 spread out all round. The best way is to put the soil into 

 the pot in the form of a cone, highest in the middle, and 

 nearly as high as the edge of the pot ; put the plant on this, 

 with the fibres spread all round, and press it down on the soft 

 light mould, so that the collar of the plant shall be just below 

 the level of the edge of the pot ; press the soil a little to the 

 roots as the pot is filled, and water it. The Auricula may be 

 grown to perfection in a common garden frame, with a glass 

 to keep off heavy rains and hard frosts. It requires but 

 little water all the winter. In February the surface of the 

 mould should be stirred a little and thrown out, and the pots 

 filled up again with a top-dressing of decomposed poultry- 

 dung, sand, and cowdung rotted into mould, equal parts ; 

 and from this time they may be regularly watered, have air 

 on fine days, and be covered at nights and in frosty weather. 

 In April, when in bloom, they must be shaded, or the sun 

 would spoil the flowers. 



