THE AURICULA. 275 



mon, with the turf well-rotted ; one barrow-load of leaf- 

 mould, another of cow-dung, two years old at least ; and 

 one peck of river, not sea sand. For strong plants in- 

 tended for exhibition, add to the same composition, as a 

 stimulant, a barrowful of well-decayed night-soil, with the 

 application of a liquid manure before the top-dressing iu 

 February, and twice more, but not oftener, in March. A 

 portion of light, sandy, peat-earth may be added, as a' safe 

 and useful ingredient, particularly for plants kept in low 

 damp situations." 



Auriculas may be propagated from seed. It is to be 

 sown in January or February in boxes, which are kept 

 under cover, and exposed only to the rays of the morning 

 sun. When seed has been saved from the finer sorts, the 

 operation is one of considerable nicety, as it not unfre- 

 quently happens that the best seedlings are at first exceed- 

 ingly weak. The judicious grower never neglects these, 

 but rather nourishes them with double care. They gene- 

 rally flower in the second or third year ; and the florist is 

 fortunate who obtains three or four good sorts out of a 

 large sowing. The established varieties are increased by 

 dividing the roots, an operation which is performed in 

 July or in the beginning of August. 



Fine Auriculas are grown in pots about five or six 

 inches in diameter ; the longer or deeper, so much the 

 better. These are kept in frames, or stages, constructed 

 for the purpose. For winter, perhaps, there is nothing 

 better than a common hotbed frame, as this admits of an 

 exact adjustment of air and temperature, things to which 

 attention is absolutely necessary, as the plants approach 

 the flowering season in the end of March. After the 

 bloom is over, or in the beginning of June, the pots may 

 be placed on stages slightly elevated and facing the north. 



