THE AURICULA. 123 



After this short account of the Auricula and its 

 properties, I shall next proceed to point out the par- 

 ticular soil or compost in which it is found to thrive 

 best. 



In doing this, I am aware of the difficulty of 

 giving any receipt, however excellent it may be, that 

 will be generally approved or generally adopted ; for 

 the different composts used by florists in growing 

 this flower are as numerous, I might say, as the 

 florists themselves. 



Almost all pride themselves in this, that they are 

 in possession of some infallible nostrum, and some 

 particular system, which are unknown to any but 

 themselves ; yet, after all this mystery and boasting, 

 the state and condition of their plants too often belie 

 their pretended skill, and expose their vain boasting, 

 by showing that there is still great room for improve- 

 ment. 



Simple and easy methods of cultivation have 

 always appeared to me most successful. I have 

 often witnessed persons taking extraordinary pains, 

 and incurring unnecessary expense, to injure, if not 



G 2 



