GROUPS OF GARDEN FLOWERS 7 



wrong after as many days. The selfs last but a little time in good con- 

 dition, and it is really necessary to keep them out in the frames three or 

 four weeks longer than the edged varieties, if they are to be in flower at 

 the same time. The plants must be free from green-fly before the flower 

 trusses appear. The amateur who delights in his plants will not fail 

 to give them all the attention they require when they are in flower, such 

 as careful attention to watering, protecting the delicate blossoms from 

 rough winds and bright sunshine. 



With the advent of May the blooming season is well-nigh over, 

 and, as the flowers decay, they must be pinched off at the base of the 

 foot-stalks, leaving the main stem to die off" gradually j and the plants 

 must be removed to the summer quarters on the north side of a wall or 

 building of some kind, and after being in the frames for a week or two 

 they may be repotted. The Auricula requires to be repotted once a 

 year, and if the best results are to be obtained the sooner it is done 

 after flowering the better. 



In repotting, that very troublesome parasite, the Auricula aphis 

 (Trama Auriculae) cannot be ignored. It is to be found in every large 

 collection, and clusters round the roots, principally amongst the drainage, 

 and frequently round the neck of the plants. Purchase a pepper-box 

 full of tobacco-powder, and a small brush; fill this with the powder 

 and dust the aphis out with it. A good portion of the old exhausted 

 soil must be removed, and the plant returned to a well-drained flower- 

 pot, similar in size to the one it was removed from. Young, vigorous 

 plants that may have flowered in smaller pots than are used for full- 

 grown ones ought to receive a larger shift, but the maximum size ought 

 not to exceed 5 inches diameter inside measure 4 inches to 4^ inches 

 would be the most useful sizes. The potting soil should be composed 

 of good, fibrous, yellow loam four parts, decayed manure one part, 

 and one part of leaf-mould. This may not seem a very rich com- 

 post ; but it is not well to grow the Auricula into mere leaf, as it 

 causes the flowers to lose their highly refined character, so greatly 

 admired by the fanciers. After repotting, the frame lights should 

 be kept over them for a week or so, and they must also be shaded 

 from the sun. Never shut the lights down altogether, but leave them 

 tilted at the back ; the plants will soon make roots into the new 

 potting material, and when this has happened, air may be admitted 

 freely. This is a point of the utmost importance, as the Auricula 

 seldom does well unless air is admitted freely in all the stages of the 

 plant's growth. 



Insect Pests. The ordinary green-fly is the most troublesome, and 

 it is most easily destroyed by fumigating with tobacco smoke. The 

 recently invented nicotine is by far the best ; it is most effectual, and 

 a second dose is seldom required. The Auricula aphis cannot live 

 under this nicotine steam if frequently repeated, but it takes a great 

 deal more to kill it than is sufficient for the green-fly. Slugs are 

 troublesome, and should be killed at night when out feeding ; for this 

 purpose a good lamp is necessary. The leather-coated grub also turns 

 out at night and feeds on the crisp tender leaves of the Show Auri- 



