148 CULTIVATION. 



The difference in the treatment only requires to 

 be noticed. 



The compost for the polyanthus does not re- 

 quire to be so rich as that for the auricula. The 

 principal part should be fresh and rather sandy 

 loam, mixed with moderate portions of leaf mould 

 and well-rotted old hot-bed or cow-dung. 



They may be flowered in pots for the purpose 

 of being shewn, placed on a stage, in a conser- 

 vatory or boudoir ; but, soon as they have done 

 flowering, they should be immediately turned out 

 into a north or east open border. Their fibres 

 being very attenuated are liable to be hurt by 

 drought, and consequently require a more equable 

 degree of both heat and moisture than they can 

 receive in pots. But, if in pots, they should be 

 kept plunged in the ground in a similar place ; 

 i. e. on a border having an east or north aspect. 



They are commonly cultivated on such bor- 

 ders, because they succeed best. An east aspect 

 seems most congenial to them : they delight in 

 the early sun, whether of the year or of the day. 

 If the natural soil of the border be unsuitable, 



