53 



growers is, fresh loamy soil, and perfectly decomposed 

 cow-dung, equal parts of each, adding one-tenth of 

 sea or river sand. Some use leaf-mould instead of 

 cow-dung. The whole incorporated and prepared for 

 one summer and one winter, before required for pot- 

 ting, in the usual manner. 



The finest Auriculas we ever saw were potted in 

 equal parts of good turfy loam, leaf-mould, cow-dung, 

 and sand, and frequently watered with manure-water 

 from cow-dung. 



Dr. Horner, who was one of our best modern culti- 

 vators of the Auricula, used a compost of two parts 

 pasture sods, two years old ; one part cow-dung, three 

 years old ; and half a part coarse river-sand, with the 

 use of decayed leaves, as will be explained in potting. 

 Good, rich, loamy soil, from an old pasture, and old 

 frame dung, will be good substitutes for sods and cow 

 manure, and should be used in the same proportions. 

 All hot, stimulating manures must be carefully 

 avoided. {Gard. Chron. 1841, 39/.) 



Mr. Dickson, well known in the neighbourhood of 

 London as a successful grower of the Auricula, uses 

 a soil composed of one-third Norwood loam, one- 

 third peat and leaf-mould in equal quantities, and 

 one-third rotten dung. {Gard. Chron. 1842, 283.) 



The father of Mr. Slater, one of the editors of 

 this volume, some 22 years ago, grew about 200 pots 

 for his own amusement, and he invarirbly used de- 



