THE AURICULA. 151 



young plants will hardly make their appearance be- 

 fore May, when the Auricula has nearly done both 

 growing and flowering, and is relapsing into a state 

 of inactivity; thus they will lose that particular 

 impulse of nature, which would so materially pro- 

 mote their growth and progress. If great care be 

 not taken in watering and shading at this late season, 

 it is very great chance indeed but they are scorched 

 and burnt up by the sun. Let your seed be sown 

 early in January, at any rate not later than the first 

 of February, in pots adapted to the size of your 

 striking or bell glasses, no matter whether in 32 or 

 24-sized pots, which are to be filled one inch and a 

 half deep at. the bottom with broken oyster-shells, 

 tiles, or small cinders, to ensure a good drainage ; 

 then fill the pots with finely-sifted compost, and 

 smooth the top of it with a flat smooth board, made 

 round to fit the inside of the pot ; let the compost be 

 fullest in the middle, gradually falling to the sides 

 of the pot. Then sow your seed as regularly as you 

 possibly can, and cover it, as near as you can guess, 

 with fine mould passed through a sieve to the thick- 



