AURICULA. 55 



they will soon strike root at that season, and the spring fol- 

 lowing will flower. In the summer this plant delights in 

 the shade, and must be regularly watered. The best time 

 to repot is in the month of September, in four inch pots, for 

 this plant will flower better when the roots come in contact 

 with the sides of the pot. The best soil for the Auricula 

 is from the woods, more particularly in the ravines, where 

 rotten wood and leaves are washed, with a mixture of sand 

 or fine stone. 



From the works published in England on the culture of 

 this plant, one would suppose it difficult to manage, for the 

 methods advocated by different authors (for each recom- 

 mends a different soil) only mystify and perplex amateurs, 

 consequently many valuable plants are lost. Reflection 

 should teach us in our experience that it would be more ju- 

 dicious in the management of Alpine plants, to come as 

 near as we can to their native habits, in soil and protection. 

 In almost every cottage in England the traveller's eye is 

 greeted with the Auricula, and it was a gratification to the 

 writer of this, during a tour through that country in 1837, 

 to visit a garden in the beginning of May, at the end of 

 which was a stage of these flowers, about one hundred in 

 number. Words cannot describe the feelings experienced 

 at that moment, when presented to view; being fairly riv- 

 eted to the spot with amazement and delight. Such a sight 

 never before met my eye, and I believe never will again. 

 I had often heard the beauties of this flower extolled, but 

 never before was their splendor realized ; and I may with 

 safety say the recollection will never be erased from my 

 memory. When I regained possession of myself, and view- 

 ed the beautiful color of the various flowers, the black, the 



