106 THE FLORIST REFORMER. 



throughout the growing season. As winter advances withhold water 

 by degrees, and finally give no more, and not oftener than is neces- 

 sary, to keep the plants from flagging, until you perceive the flower 

 spikes showing, they will then require a plentiful supply to bring the 

 bloom to perfection. 



Should any cultivator of these noble plants adhere to the above 

 directions, I have not the slightest doubt but the highest expectations 

 will be realized by a splendid display of fine spikes of their pretty 

 purple and buff coloured flowers. The silvery appearance of the 

 under side of the petals forming a contrast strikingly beautiful. 



As a proof of the efficacy of the treatment described, it perhaps 

 may not be amiss to mention the success that I have met with from a 

 plant so treated. It bloomed eleven fine spikes, and continued in 

 bloom a month or five weeks, and at times there were upwards of 

 forty flowers expanded at once. 



ARTICLE VI. 



THE FLORIST REFORMER. 



BY Jilt. JOHN SLATER, FLORIST, CHEETHAJ1 HILL, NEAR MANCHESTER. 



The Auricula. 

 The Auricula has suffered the least by aliases of any florist's flower ; 

 and the only instance I believe on record, is that of Oliver's Lovely 

 Ann being sold out by a Middleton florist as a seedling, under the 

 name of Kenyon's Juno. Little need be said in favour of the Auricula 

 as a florist's flower, as it is an established favourite with all, from its 

 blooming so early in the spring, as well as from the fragrance its 

 bloom imparts. I have classed the Auricula in three divisions : the 

 first for an amateur commencing ; the second as a further addition to 

 his collection ; and the last as embracing all, with very few excep- 

 tions, that may be considered worthy a place in any collection. 



For an Amateur 's first Collection. 



OREEN EDGED. 



Rider's Waterloo. 



Pollitt's Standard of England. 



Highland Laddie. 



Ollier's Lady Ann Wilbraham. 

 Oliver's Lovely Ann, (shown also 

 in the grey edged class.) 



GREY EDGED. 



Grimes' Privateer. 

 Kenyon's Ringleader. 

 Warris' Union. 

 Sykes' Complete. 

 Thompson's Revenge. 



