GARDEN AURICULA. 127 



oyster-shell whelmed over the hole in the bottom 

 of the pot, and this covered with a layer of small 

 stones or cinders, will readily allow all excess of 

 water to escape. 



When the pots or boxes are thus drained and 

 filled with the proper compost, it should be 

 shaken and pressed smoothly down fiill half an 

 inch below the rim, leaving* the middle rather 

 higher than round the sides. On the surface 

 the seeds are dropped as regularly as possible, 

 and covered with finely sifted compost to the 

 thickness of a crown piece. Water is given 

 immediately, applying it as lightly as possible 

 by a patent syringe or otherwise, so that the 

 surface, or seeds, be not disturbed. The pots 

 are next placed in their stations, and the glasses 

 put on. Here they must be guarded against the 

 approach of earth-worms and insects — ventilated 

 by occasionally taking off or raising the glasses 

 to prevent mouldiness — and gently watered or 

 shaded when either appears to be necessary. 



All such attention must be continued up to 

 the time the plants are fit to handle ; they are 



