358 THE PLEASURE, OE [APRIL 



bats or the like to admit air, and yet preserve the expanding bloom 

 from rain. 



The farina or mealy dust which overspreads and ornaments the 

 surface of those flowers, contributes exceedingly to their lustre and 

 beauty; this must therefore be preserved upon them ; the least shower 

 of rain would easily wash it off; it is also liable to be blown away by 

 the winds ; and the sun, if permitted to shine freely on the flowers, 

 would occasion them soon to fade. 



Therefore, where it is required to have the more curious or choice 

 varieties to blow in the best perfection, the pots containing the plants 

 should, according as the flowers begin to open, be immediately re- 

 moved and placed on the shelves of the auricula stage or where the 

 flowers may be protected occasionally from such weather as would 

 deface the bloom. The stand or stage should have from three to five 

 ranges of shelves, in proportion to the number of pots, about six 

 inches wide, rising theatre-like, one above another, from the front ; 

 having the back generally placed against a shady wall, pale, or other 

 building; it must be constantly covered at top, water-tight, sloping 

 to the back part ; but the front and ends should only be covered occa- 

 sionally by having some canvas or mats fastened thereto by way of 

 curtain, so contrived that it may be readily let down and drawn up at 

 pleasure; which, when the air is very sharp, or in high winds, or 

 driving rains, must be let down to shelter the flowers; but when the 

 weather is mild and calm, let the front and ends be constantly open. 

 Or this may also be used occasionally to shade the flowers from the 

 sun, where it has access in the heat of the day; observing, however, 

 generally, not to let the screen remain longer than is necessary for 

 the defence of the bloom. 



Regular waterings should be given during the time the plants are 

 on the stage; examine them once every day to see where water is 

 wanted, and let such pots as stand in need of that article be imme- 

 diately supplied with it. In doing this suffer no water to fall on the 

 flowers, for that would wash off the afore-mentioned farinaceous bloom, 

 and greatly deface their beauty. 



The waterings should be moderate and frequent; for these plants 

 being rather of a succulent nature cannot bear too much without 

 material injury. 



Keep the surface of the pots perfectly neat, free from weeds and 

 every sort of litter ; suffer no decayed leaves to remain on the plants, 

 but let such, as soon as they appear, be taken off. 



By thus placing your auricula pots on a covered stage, it not only 

 preserves the flowers much longer in beauty, but you also more readily 

 view them, and they show themselves to much greater advantage than 

 when placed on the ground. 



The shelves and back of the stage should be painted black, or of 

 some dark color, by way of contrast to the white eyes, &c,, of the 

 flowers ; and if a large looking-glass be placed at each end of the stage, 

 the effect produced will be very pleasing, by apparently lengthening 

 the stage each way as far as the eye can reach. 



A row of fine polyanthuses in pots may likewise be introduced on 



