APRIL 295 



over ; at this moment (early in April) my earliest plants 

 are in bloom. When potted, the plants require occa- 

 sional watering, but freedom from drenching rains. If 

 by chance over -much watered, time should be allowed 

 for this excess to pass away, and the plants not watered 

 again until quite dry, although not flagging. Little else 

 is needed, save to remove decaying foliage and keep 

 down the aphis or greenfly. All the summer, and until 

 November, the plants may remain in the open air, save 

 when they are protected from heavy rains. Early in 

 November they go into a coldframe, but ventilated by 

 day whenever the weather is at all fine. Water should 

 be given seldom, but sufilciently when given at all. 

 Great dryness will be endured without damage, but there 

 is a point which must not be overpassed. Towards the 

 end of January life revives, and water is more needful. 

 Prior to this, if it be possible, the pots should be so 

 placed as to receive what light there is, which accelerates 

 the resumption of growth. About the middle of Febru- 

 ary, if the growth is evidently progressing, the plant 

 should be top-dressed with compost, rather stronger than 

 that used in planting — so fully that side -shoots may be 

 able to root into the top-dressing. On these offsets de- 

 pend the reproduction of named kinds. From seed new 

 varieties may be raised, but the offspring are often very 

 unlike the parents. In March the flower-stems begin to 

 rise, and during April the plants flower. In this month 

 the annual exhibition at the Kensington Horticultural 

 takes place. It is important to protect the plants in 

 severe weather by means of matting, also against cut- 

 ting winds ; but they are hardy, and their great risk is 

 not cold, but rotting through excessive moisture, which, 

 affecting the foliage, attacks the neck of the plant if 

 decaying leaves be not picked off.' 



Alpine Auriculas are easily grown from seed, and 



