150 A DIALOGUE ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE AURICULA. 



dust that will not pass through the riddle ; but potters' fret, which is 

 used for making china, when broken to the proper size, (it looks like 

 pieces of crystals, or " Snowdon diamonds,") and when covered with 

 a little white moss to prevent the compost trickling in, it cannot be 

 surpassed. I then fdl up the pot with the best old compost, and 

 keep it in a fine vegetating state, just moist; I place it in a slight 

 hot-bed till they are up, which will be in about a month. 



L. Will they not sooner spring in heat ? 



Inf. Yes, if placed in stronger heat than I think prudent; for it 

 only draws them up fine, and makes it more difficult to harden them. 

 Those who have the advantage of a greenhouse cannot do better than 

 sow the seed in boxes and place them near the glass. My old flori- 

 cultural friend at Offley Hay, in Staffordshire, always raised his 

 under a hand-glass. He was the grower of Lord Nelson, Sweep- 

 stakes, and Eclipse, which last is said to be one of the best grey- 

 edged in the kingdom, but it is in few hands at present. He had 

 seven plants of it, and gave me my choice of one ; he sold the 

 remainder to a person in Shrewsbury for two guineas ; if they had 

 been in the possession of some London florists they would not have 

 parted with them for less than twenty. Poor old man ! he died about 

 two years since, upwards of eighty, and devoted to flowers to the 

 last. 



L. He was your namesake, I think. 



Inf. He was, and that's all ; but a more honest, well-disposed man 

 in his station could not be. I never had a flower from him but it 

 proved to be what he called it ; this is more than I can say for some 

 others. However, to return to the seedlings : remove them from the 

 hot-bed as soon as they have formed three or four leaves ; transplant 

 them carefully ; screen them from hot sun and heavy rain ; keep 

 them free from snails; not too wet. It is a good plan to place small 

 stones round them to prevent their roots rising out of the compost, 

 and then you may water them with a fine rosed watering pot, which 

 is less trouble than using a brush, as recommended by some. There 

 is trouble with them, but the interest that a person feels who 

 is fond of these plants in watching them expand into bloom is 

 intense. I have grown as beautiful Selfs and Alpines as ever were 

 seen ; but to grow good green, white, or grey-edged is rare. 



L. Now, how do you manage your old plants in May, after they 

 are placed in their summer quarters ? 



