92 



jrOUKNAL OF HORTICULTtTRE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ January 31, 1866. 



heaviest (or equal) prodnoe per acre. Mr. Luptcn"s sets 

 were of average size. They did not spread so much, as they 

 ■were strong. 



I most cordially a^ree with the concluding sentence of 

 " AGKlC0L.i "^viz., •■ that the free discussion of this and 

 similar topics is not an unimportant stop towards furtlier 

 progress," and I can assure him that I had no other object 

 in view than to farther that result as much as possible. 



We have yet to learn many things in Potato culture — viz., 

 the distance at which they can be most profitably planted, 

 the kinds most suitable for dili'erent soils, the most desirable 

 kinds for eating and also for ijroductiveness, the most bene- 

 ficial manui'es, and the most approved method of growing this 



crop. All this can only be secured by instituting a set of 

 experiments in different localities, each person planting an 

 equal number, an equal weight, and an equal quantity of 

 ground. ^Ve have clubs of all sorts, and I think none would 

 be more useful than a " Potato Club," such as was proposed 

 some time ago by Colonel Newman, Hillside, Cheltenham. 

 Their experiments and expei'ience would form a very interest- 

 ing and valuable, because reliable, report, and the annual 

 dinner would be all that could be desired, each exhibitor 

 being obliged to exhibit his dish not only fit for table but 

 fit to eat." All the members present would be judges, the 

 winner obtaining his laurels by the votes of the majority. 

 — G. Abbey. 



AUEICPLA CULTITJE. 



A ONCE very popular plant, though it has lost very many 

 of its old supporters, is, I am pleased to see, likely to again 

 become a more general favourite, though I regret to say 

 that it is very questionable whether many of the best old 

 sorts are not entirely lost. Though I cannot assist in ob- 

 taining those old favourites I will give a few short notes 

 upon their culture generally, as they may be of use to ama- 

 teurs and others not well inibrmed upon the subject. 



The plants having done flowering, about the beginning of 

 ilay place them on slates in the open air, or, what is better, 

 in an Auricula-frame, to which I intend referring before 

 concluding. They 

 should be placed 

 in such a position 

 as will admit df the 

 morning sun shin- 

 ing full upon them 

 untQ about nine 

 o'clock, but the 

 situation to be a 

 shady one during 

 the remainder of 

 the day. Carefully 

 keep them clear 

 of all dead leaves. 

 These when they 

 decay should be 

 removed, taking 

 every precaution, 

 by the use of both 

 hands, not to tear 



or otherwise injure the plant in taking away any leaf which 

 may not be ripened at the base. Such seeming trifles can 

 not be too strictly enforced in the culture of good varieties 

 of this plant. In dry weather water with moderate free- 

 dom, being careful that each plant has its drainage perfect. 

 About the first week in June remove them into their summer 

 quarters, which should be a shady situation in a cool place, 

 where the air can have tolerably free access to tlicm, still 

 continuing to give them waterings when required. 



About the second week in August prepare to pot them. 

 Stimulating composts, though successful for a season, are 

 very detrimcrital to lasting vigour in plants of this tribe, 

 and are indeed the primary cause of early decaj*. The com- 

 post I advise is one part of good loam (yellow) obtained 

 from thoroughly decayed turf, one part of thoroughly de- 

 composed leaf mould (unless the turves from which the loam 

 had been obtained were very thin, for if so the decayed 

 herbage will be sufficient, and leaf mould may be dispensed 

 with), one part decayed frame-dung, or one part cowdung 

 which has been laid by and kept moist for a lengthened 

 time, the latter is preferable. Add to these a fourth part 

 of silver sand, and, whore obtainable, a liberal dash of river 

 sand — siftings of small grain well w.oshed. Where this 

 latter is not to be had a few "potsherds broken small will 

 answer instead. Previous to mixing these ingredients toge- 

 ther let them drj' if necessary, for unless they are all mode- 

 rately Ro it will be exceedingly difficult to thoroughly in- 

 corporate them. The compost prepiu'ed, well cleaned and 

 ciTtctivoly crocked pots will be necessary. The crocks should 

 take up aa little room at the bottom of the pots as possible 

 coDBistcnt with tea efiieient drainage. 



If the plants are young, or offsets, turn them out of the 

 pots, and carefully pick oat from amongst the roots some of 

 the older soil. Give them a moderate shift, and press the 

 soil firmly around the old ball. Should the plants be old 

 shake away most of the old soil, and having carefully pruned 

 and out away all dead roots, &c., repot them in moderate- 

 sized pots. In doing so care should be taken to properly 

 divide the roots from each other, shaking the soil nicely 

 between and around them, and keeping the crown well up. 

 Having given them a good watering, they should be again 

 placed in a shady sheltered situation, until, having made 



fresh roots, they 

 are re-established 

 in their pots. 



I give a sketch 

 of an Am'icula- 

 I'rame whichlhave 

 found very service- 

 able iu tlie culture 

 ■jf these plants, 

 and into which I 

 would place them 

 when potted, and 

 indeed this should 

 be their general 

 abode, asthis mode 

 of protection and 

 shelter is prefer- 

 able tofi-ameshav- 

 ing air-bricks back 

 and front, sashes, 

 &o. The Aui-icula-frame, as will be seen, is very simple 

 iu its construction, fmu- main posts as legs upon which 

 to support the whole being the first requisites. A divi- 

 sion i-uns through the whole length, thus forming a north 

 and south aspect for the plants when properly placed. 

 On either of those sides shelves are placed, on wliich are 

 put the plants in pots. The north side wiU be found a 

 nice cool place for them in summer, and they wiU be pro- 

 tected alike fi-om very severe storms, insects, &c. ; whilst 

 the south is adnm-ably adapted for them in winter, giving 

 them what is so essential — an atmosphere entirely devoid 

 of the damp at all times contained in glass pits, &e., in 

 winter ; besides, every opportunity can lie taken of admit- 

 ting the sun's rays when wanted the most. In this position, 

 too, the stock can be flowered and tended m comfort. It 

 will be readily perceived that the middle partition will be 

 a great assistance to either of the ends we have in view, 

 as the empty space on the north side when the plants 

 are on the opposite shelves in winter, will assist materially, 

 the shutters are being closed, in keeping out the frost; 

 whilst the empty space on the southern side will, in summer, 

 aid materially in keeping the other cool. i!y simply con- 

 structed hinges the roof of ifither side may be turned over 

 upon the other, thus giving tho pl.ants the benefit of a free 

 admission of air when needed, though I would, if construct- 

 ing another frame, have tho roof of glass. The shutters, 

 made to take off and on, may also by a little contrivance, 

 bo made the means of breaking too strong a wind, aa may 

 be needed. 



The propagation of these plants is effected by taking from 

 the old plants offsets sufficiently lai'ge to form a- cutting. 



