OM THE CULTURE OF THE AURICULA. 10-1 



as T am, of the mode of treatment adopted by W S., or whether 

 they were plants newly purchased by him. Be it as it may, and 

 making the fullest allowance for the capricious nature of the plant, 

 something must have been radically wrong, for so sweeping a loss 

 to ensue, and the inference is that the plants were exposed during 

 last autumn and winter to a superabundance of wet, without any 

 drainage at the bottom of the pots. 80 circumstanced no choice 

 Auriculas could survive. The severe cutting east, and north-east 

 winds, which prevailed in the early part of last spring, and during 

 the whole season of their bloom, was also peculiarly unfavourable 

 to Auriculas, particularly such as were situated without the requi- 

 site protection of frames and skilful attention. Allowing the plants 

 t" get very wet, and then to be shut close in a frame, before the 

 superfluous moisture has in some degree evaporated, will cause 

 the best varieties quickly to damp off. 



I point out the following principles, which I recommend for the 

 future guidance of W. S. in the culture of his Auriculas : — First, 

 advising him to be most cautious in the purchase of plants, to 

 make his selection from the stock of an eminent ilorist, famous jn 

 the growth of Auriculas, who will supply him with plants in a 

 healthy, vigorous state, not impoverished and vitiated, as many are, 

 by an over excitement from a too highly stimulating soil, for the 

 purpose of producing an extraordinary bloom. To use compost 

 well decomposed by age and exposure to the weather, the propor- 

 tions and particulars of which are fully explained in several articles 

 in the Cabinet. To re-pot in June or July, being most cautious 

 to place an oyster-shell at the bottom of the pot, and about two 

 inches of cinders or small lime sittings, in order to admit of ^ood 

 drainage, which is one of the most important points to attend to. 

 'I'n expose the plants when not in bloom to occasional moderate 

 rains, and keep them supplied in dry weather during summer and 

 autumn with equal moderate moisture, and keep the surface of the 

 soil clean, stirring the top when necessary, and sprinkling two or 

 tlnv,- times in the year a little grey sharp sand on the top of the 

 oil. Protect the plants by means of garden frames in winter. 

 giving them at that season little or no water, (particularly in frosts' 



leather,) and never at any time throughout the year standing the 

 pots on the ground, but, If not on a stand, on a good layer of lime 

 or cinder ashes, or pieces of 'hit.'. Top-dress die plants in 

 I ebruarv. 



