1 6 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



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 fumes. 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 Auriculas. A green caterpillar also feeds 

 voraciously on them ; but this is found easily in the day time. Decayed 

 leaves should be removed periodically, as if allowed to remain they may 

 materially damage the plants. 



A list of the best varieties may be useful (raiser's name in brackets). 

 They are as follows : 



Green edged Abbe Liszt (Douglas) ; Abraham Barker (Lord) ; 

 Hy. Wilson (Simonite) ; Prince Charming (Douglas) ; Diomed (Simonite) ; 

 Love Bird (Douglas); Mrs. Henwood (Barlow); Rev. F. D. Horner 

 (Simonite) ; Shirley Hibberd (Simonite). Prince of Greens (Trail) was 

 much esteemed a few years ago, but owing to some defect in its con- 

 stitution, it has gone a good deal out of cultivation. Grey-edged 

 There are a considerable number of choice varieties in this class. The 

 best is still George Lightbody (Headly) ; although it was in cultivation 

 over forty years ago, it holds its own with the best. George Rudd 

 (Woodhead) ; Lancashire Hero (Lancashire) ; Col. Champneys (Turner) ; 

 Olympus (Douglas) ; Marmion (Douglas) ; Richard Headly (Lightbody) ; 

 William Brockbank (Mellor). In the white-edged class there are some 

 choice and very pretty varieties, and perhaps the best is Acme (Read) ; 

 it is very perfect, forms a handsome truss, and a perfect white-edged 

 corolla. Conservative (Douglas) ; Frank (Simonite) ; Acme (Read) ; 

 Rachael (Woodhead) ; Miss Prim (Douglas) ; Mrs. Dodwell (Woodhead), 

 an old variety, but very distinct, and has a pure white edge ; True 

 Briton (Hepworth). The self-edged class, as previously stated, is dis- 

 tinct from the others. The best of them are : Black Bess (Woodhead) ; 

 Buttercup (Horner); Heroine (Horner); Lord of Lome (Campbell); 

 Ruby (Simonite) ; Favourite (Horner) ; Mrs. Phillips' Mikado (Smith) ; 

 Harrison Weir (Douglas) ; May Day (Douglas). 



Alpine Auriculas. These are a different class of plants from the 

 show varieties, and have been produced as garden varieties from a 

 different parentage, probably Primula pubescens. They are easily 

 cultivated, and will thrive well in the open border, and they form as 

 handsome rock garden plants as it is possible to conceive. No other 

 plants have that peculiar distinct tint of crimson-maroon and blood-red 

 shaded maroon ; also the. lovely lilac and purple maroon tinted colours. 



