32 ON FLOUISTS' FLOWEKS. 



of my practice may assist others in like situations, it may, per- 

 haps, be in some degree useful to a portion of your readers. 



I shall begin with the culture of the Auricula, as it is justly ac- 

 knowledged the queen of spring flowers by all who have seen an 

 Auricula stage in full bloom, and as the management of the 

 plants in a proper way, is necessary to produce the desired effect, 

 I shall endeavour to give you my practice, and hope it will induce 

 others to try the culture of this beautiful flower, as I am per- 

 suaded many are deterred by the difficulty of keeping their plants 

 for any length of time in a sound healthy state, and of course feel 

 disappointment in the blooming season. There are three things 

 that are necessary to be attended to, namely, soil, shelter, and si- 

 tuation. 



A good deal has been said about soils proper for the cultiva- 

 tion of the Auricula, and almost every grower has his peculiar 

 one which of course he recommends as the best. I have also 

 a compost which is most simple, and answers the purpose as well 

 perhaps as the most elaborate composition. In some waste place 

 I throw together the weeds, tops of vegetable leaves, &c. and 

 cover these with turf or garden soil, and a little sand or road 

 scrapings, with occasionally a barrowful of horse dung, making 

 the compound as near as may be one half vegetable matter, one- 

 fourth loam, and one-fourth sand, this I form into a ridge, and turn 

 it frequently till reduced to a fine soil, and by adding to one end 

 and taking from the other, I am supplied constantly as wanted. 

 In the general potting season, July or August, I take a portion 

 into a barrow, for the purpose of examining it minutely to clear 

 it from stones, worms, or any other injurious substance, working 

 it well over with the spade, then let it remain till nearly dry be- 

 fore potting with it. 



The next requisite after soil, is shelter, this is variously ap- 

 plied, some keep their Auriculas in a cucumber frame during 

 winter, but this is too damp and close, and the sashes lying too 

 flat, the water is apt to drop through, and spoil the plants ; I do 

 not see why Auriculas should not have a house as well as Gera- 

 niums, and such a house upon a small scale I have, and it an- 

 swers the purpose remarkably well, I will endeavour to describe 

 it in as clear and brief a manner as possible ; it is made of three- 

 fourth inch deal boards on each end closely jointed, the height 

 behind is five feet, and in front one foot, and this is made to have 

 a good slope, the breadth four feet and a half, front to back the 



