THE AURICULA. 139 



them with too much water at one time. The de- 

 cayed leaves should be taken off from time to time, 

 and the pots kept clear of weeds. 



Owing to the continued rains that have fallen during 

 the last two autumns, (1818 and 1819,) and which 

 were too lasting and heavy for the plants to receive 

 and discharge without injury, I have been under the 

 necessity of erecting a covering of thin feather-edged 

 boards, which I fasten back or let down according to 

 the state of the weather ; and I now place the plants 

 under it as soon as they are out of bloom, upon a 

 platform raised six inches above the ground, made 

 of deal, similar to those in green-houses ; I have 

 found this a very convenient and appropriate situa- 

 tion ; two hours of gentle rain are as much as they 

 ought to receive at any one time. 



To encourage the growing of the seed, pluck the 

 withered blossoms from the seed-vessels ; for if left 

 on, they are apt to retain the wet, and often injure 

 and prevent its ripening. 



