2GG ON TIIE CULTURE OF THE AURICULA. 



by themselves, as I fancy they make a much finer show than when 

 planted ahout the borders. A. E. 



Hoxton, Sept. Zrd, 1834. 



ARTICLE II.— On the Culture and Management of the 

 Auricula. By Paul Pry. 



I here send you my method of cultivating the Auricula., which 

 I have practised with the greatest success for several years. The 

 following is the compost which I use to pot them in : — two bar- 

 rowfuls of cow-dung, one year old ; one ditto of sheep-dung, one 

 year old ; one ditto of maiden loam ; half ditto of black leaf- 

 mould ; and one peck of river sand. I have discontinued the use 

 of hot manures, (such as blood, night-soil, j>igeons' dung, &c.) 

 as I have more than once proved their " ill effects." Many young 

 florists, from a wish to outrival the elder ones, have used this trash 

 to such an extent as to kill their plants altogether. When the 

 plants are potted, set them in a shady place till they have taken 

 root, at which time he careful to protect them from heavy rains. 

 Towards the latter end of September, they should be placed in a 

 frame upon bricks or tiles, in a full south aspect ; raise the frame 

 by placing a brick at each corner, to admit a free current of air to 

 pass between them, in which situation they may remain till frost v 

 weather commences. However cold the weather may be, provided 

 it is fine, the lights should he taken off during the day, and put 

 on again at night. Towards the beginning of February, they must 

 be carefully covered up every night, to prevent the buds receiving 

 any check, as by this time some of the most forward will begin to 

 show bloom. Although I stated above that I had discontinued 

 the use of hot manures, I nevertheless think it requisite that a 

 small portion should be used in top-dressing : to a barrowful of 

 the above compost, add not more than a peck of goose-dung, at 

 least two years and a half old. With this dress the plants about the 

 beginning of February ; remove the old soil clean away down to 

 the fibres, and replace it with the new ; give to each a good water- 

 ing with pure water. Should any gentle rains fall during the 

 months of February or March, you may expose them for an hour 

 or two, once or twice in the course of each month ; keep them 

 closely covered up with mats even- night, for one night's frost 



