A DIALOGUE ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE AURICULA. 179 



few -will do when potted in August, therefore I always re-pot mine in 

 that month. 



L. I have heard if the pips are pinched off it will prevent injury 

 to the bloom in the spring. 



Inf. Perhaps it may, but I do not like to see them do so ; and 

 without a doubt August is the best time for potting. I will now 

 show you my compost, and tell you how to mix it ; we will walk to 

 the yard, where I have just had in a fresh supply. 



L. What a quantity of things you have collected ; this is sea- 

 sand. 



Inf. Yes ; from Rhyl, in Flintshire. 



L. This seems to be composed of bits of decayed sticks. 



Inf. An indispensable ingredient to form a good compost ; but I 

 prize most those black clods just brought in ; I have it piled up in a 

 large heap ; there is enough to last the life of any amateur florist in 

 the kingdom ; just examine them, that you may know the quality of 

 the peat. 



L. They are covered over with heath in blossom and white moss ; 

 here is a beautiful plant of sun-dew. 



Inf. Well, all these beauties I make mincemeat of with a spade. 

 Break one of the clods, you will find it composed of black soil and 

 white shining sand ; if you were to walk on the common, where it is 

 brought from, you would see great drifts of this silver sand washed 

 together by heavy rains. 



L. Then why do you go to the expense of sending for sea-sand ? 



Inf. I like sea sand the best, but I do not send purposely for it. 

 Having had a horse and cart at the coast I have had it back carriage ; 

 and although the sand about here more resembles sea-sand than any 

 I ever saw, yet, when I have an opportunity, I like that from the 

 shore best. These clods form the principal ground of the compost. 

 I will suppose a moderate cart-load of clods, the same quantity of 

 well-rotted horse-dung from an old hot-bed, or any that looks black 

 and cuts solid ; I then add about six wheelbarrows full of decayed 

 sticks, taken from the bottom of an old wood pile ; decayed bean- 

 stalks will answer quite as well ; but such things can only be had in 

 the country, where there is a good kitchen garden ; then add tour 

 bw-hcls of telt, lour bushels of bone-dust, one bushel of lime, and 

 four buckets of blood. 



