308 GARDEN FLOWERS. 



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

 the touch of the finger brings off, thereby spoiHng the flow- 

 er. 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 any thing disagreeable is necessary for the pur- 

 pose. Loam from rotted turfs, 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 lit- 

 tle 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 drain- 

 age ; 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 de- 

 composed poultry-dung, sand, and cow-dung rotted into 

 mould, equal parts ; and from this time they may be regular- 

 ly 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. 



Polyanthus (Primula vulgaris luiibellata). — The Poly-i 

 anthus is a well-known hardy perennial, blooming early in 

 spring. Its flowers, variegated and richly colored, are ele- 



