78 



the shutters are closed, because the lower edge of the 

 shutters is as high, or higher, than the top of the 

 plants at all times. The peculiar advantage arising 

 from this plan is, that when the plants require to be 

 shut up from excess of rain, they have at the same 

 time the advantage of a continual supply and free 

 circulation of fresh air, which passes amongst their 

 leaves in all directions ; whereas, those who are 

 obliged to shut up their plants in a close frame, to 

 exclude excess of rain from them, oftentimes shut 

 them up in a wet state, as soon as it is judged they 

 have had a sufficiency; this is a very dangerous 

 though not unusual practice, and often produces a 

 mildew, which is attended with the most destructive 

 consequences. 



SUMMERING JUNE TO OCTOBER. 



There has been much disputation as to the advisa- 

 ble time for repotting the Auricula, which should be 

 done every year without fail. Some florists do not 

 transplant, or repot, as it is termed, until the close of 

 August or early in September ; and Mr. Hogg re- 

 commends either June, July, or August, for that, if 

 repotted earlier into fresh stimulating earth, this is 

 liable to excite them to bloom in the autumn, which 

 is most destructive to their spring beauty and excel- 

 lence.* 



* Potting early in August is to be preferred, if the object in 



