66 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



' '"** 



brown, the purple, richness of the blue, the brightness of 

 the pink, the splendor of the scarlet, and richness of the 

 crimson ; some edged with green, some with white, and 

 others with grey; again others with dark ground, with 

 beautiful white powder sprinkled over the flower, as if the 

 wind itself threatened to waft its delicacy away, and destroy 

 the incomparable beauty of the flower then again the 

 largeness of the trusses and their fragrance all these in- 

 toxicated the mind with delight. In that collection I no- 

 ticed the " Conqueror of Europe," price fifteen dollars ; 

 Robert Burns," (Hodges) " Ne plus Ultra," "Champion," 

 "Hero," and others equally valuable ; but these were many 

 the most prominent. I have from that time been an admir- 

 er of the Auricula. 



This plant is extensively cultivated in England by seed, 

 by most gardeners and amateurs, and presented for exhibi- 

 tion, and prizes are awarded to the successful flower. The 

 Lancashire weavers are the most successful Auricula grow- 

 ers, as it appears from floricultural reports. There is some 

 difficulty in getting the seed to germinate if not fresh, as it 

 may occur sometimes that seed will be one or two years be* 

 fore they come up unless forced in a hot-bed. When the 

 seedlings have formed four leaves they should be trans- 

 planted into thumb pots, and be kept in the shade and never 

 suffered to become dry, nor be placed where the rain falls, 

 or they will be washed out of the soil. Seedlings will flow- 

 er the second season. The soil recommended for full 

 grown plants will also do for seed and seedlings. 



