104 ON THE AURICULA. ITS CULTURE, PROPERTIES, ETC. 



those large trusses, an uncommon degree of vigour must be infused 

 into the plants by the richest and most stimulating composts ; but 

 almost all modern writers differ from each other respecting the 

 ingredients of which this compost ought to be composed. The com- 

 plete theory of manuring seems at present so badly understood, that 

 the young Auricula cultivator cannot help feeling bewildered on the 

 subject ; and it will be lucky for himself if, in attending to the many 

 theorists who have written on the subject, he does not destroy a part 

 of his collection before experience — that best of monitors — teaches 

 him what sort of compost he may use with safety and success. One 

 writer recommends blood, another goose's dung, another night soil, 

 a fourth cow dung, and a fifth mixes all these together; so that, 

 what with one system, and what with another, the inexperienced 

 cultivator is as much at a loss as if he had read no directions at all. 



An able writer on this subject remarks: — "All that we really 

 know is, that manure acts simply by forming carbonic acid, which is 

 the food of plants ; and one would suppose that whatever forms car- 

 bonic acid most rapidly and constantly, would be the most efficient 

 manure. This, no doubt, explains the cause of the different opinions 

 that are held concerning the best manure for the Auricula. It 

 would be worth trying the effect of putrid yeast, which is the most 

 active stimulant of vegetation that has yet been discovered ; but if 

 this material be used, it should be diluted with water till it acquires 

 the colour and fluidity of small beer." 



But, as the result of this experiment is perhaps uncertain, it will 

 be advisable for none to try it but the amateur whose stock is con- 

 siderable, lest he should diminish instead of increase and invigorate 

 his plants. If I might presume to offer my advice to the young 

 florist, respecting his Auricula compost, I would advise him to spurn 

 the idea of its being necessary for so many ingredients to be incor- 

 porated together to secure the health of his plants, and to grow them 

 with vigour. There seems something inconsistent and unnatural in 

 this ; and, from the experience I have had, I find that my plants get 

 most vigorous, and keep most healthy, when I grow them in a com- 

 post made simply of the following ingredients ; viz., two-thirds of 

 any required quantity of cow dung, unmixed with litter of any 

 description, and rotted thoroughly down till it has assumed the 

 appearance of black soil ; and the other third^ made up of equal 



