126 ON THE AURICULA, — ITS CULTURE, PROPERTIES, ETC. 



their deeply-serrated edges and the beardy fibres which grow over 

 their surface, like the small bristles to be seen on the head of the 

 dragon-fly, are sure indications of the health of the plants, and 

 whisper to us in silent eloquence that the desolation of winter is past, 

 and that spring, delightful spring, with its thousand enjoyments, is 

 again about to cheer and gladden us with its bright and joyous 

 career. Indeed, to the writer of this article their appearance pos- 

 sesses a peculiar charm, and raises in his breast the purest devo- 

 tional feelings ; they remind him of the wisdom and goodness of that 

 Divine Being whose beneficence could think of strewing our path 

 with such lovely ornaments, and seem to speak a renewal of the pro- 

 mise that " seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer 

 and winter, and day and night, shall not cease." 



This may be called the delightful season of anticipation for the 

 florist. Day after day passes on, and he sees before him, in beautiful 

 perspective, the success that is to crown his efforts. April at last 

 arrives, and the season which he has had in contemplation for the 

 last twelve months approaches to reward his care and attention 

 through that long period. His plants keep progressing, till at last 

 their hearts begin to expand, and expose to his anxious eyes the 

 rising trusses. Every care is now taken to protect the delicate and 

 expanding flowers from strong winds, which Avould easily sully their 

 beautiful surface, and spoil the rich, velvety appearance of the ex- 

 panding corolla ; even the rays of the sun must now be excluded, or 

 the richness of the colours would soon fade. Petal after petal now 

 expands, till at last the large circular trusses greet the admiring eyes 

 of the devoted amateur, and far more than repay him for all his 

 trouble and attention through the long period of their dormancy. 



After the flowering season is over, the Auricula soon ceases to 

 grow with vigour. It should then be placed in a situation having a 

 northern aspect, where it may be protected from the scorching rays 

 of the meridian sun, and also from all heavy and continued rains, as 

 many plants are annually lost by the sudden transition from the close 

 frame to continued exposure in wet weather. Whenever, therefore, 

 continued rains prevail at this season, it is advisable to draw the 

 lights over them, but raised up so as to admit of free and complete 

 ventilation. 



By the end of July or the beginning of August all offsets ought to 



