14 



part, are of a nature too filthy and offensive for ge- 

 neral adoption, as well as too tedious in preparation, 

 and very prejudicial, if used prematurely ; but no- 

 thing could ever shake his belief in their excellence, 

 power, and efficacy. Emmerton used to say, " My 

 father used them, and I used them after him, and 

 made improvements upon them, and nobody grew 

 Auriculas better ;" and it is but justice to add, that 

 the Auriculas which the florists about Barnet, Tot- 

 teridge, and Finchley, exhibited at that time — Ken- 

 ney and Emmerton in particular — have not been sur- 

 passed, if equalled, by those of any florist of the pre- 

 sent day; they were remarkable for their bold trusses, 

 broad expanded pips of brilliant colours, strong stems, 

 and large fleshy foliage — indisputable proofs of good 

 culture. {Hogg's Supplement , 158.) 



On this last remark made by Mr. Hogg, it is to be 

 observed that it is doubtlessly true that, by the use 

 of highly stimulating manures, it is quite possible to 

 grow large and luxuriant Auriculas, but the plants 

 will not bear such treatment more than two or three 

 years. They then canker and die. Besides, it is 

 quite as possible to grow them as fine in a less stimu- 

 lating compost, and then they endure for many years. 

 This was done by Matthew Kenney, instanced by Mr. 

 Hogg as a successful cultivator ; and it is now done 

 annually by the weavers in and about Manchester. 



The Auricula is, indeed, the poor man's flower j it 



