THE AURICULA. 



occasionally repeat its own story to the diligent raiser of its seedlings, in the course of 

 his efforts at still further improvements. Endowed with powers of infinite variability 

 from seed, even the highest and most difficult types of the Auricula will now and then 

 produce seedlings that revert to the aboriginal yellows and purples of its mountain 

 ancestry ; others will reveal, at their petal edges, some tips and touches of that wonder- 

 ful unbroken ring of emerald green, pearly grey, or snowy white, that is now the most 

 distinct and beautiful feature on the face of the flower. 



"With all its gain in properties of form and colour, the Auricula has lost nothing of 

 its native hardiness. During its winter rest, no possible degree of frost in England will 

 harm it ; and the only reason why we then afford it dry protection under glass — with- 

 out any artificial heat — is because such is the nearest equivalent we have to the natural 

 shelter of unmelted snows. Certainly under glass our Auriculas have a freer access to 

 light and air ; but as the habit of the cultivated plant is usually less deciduous than 

 that of wild forms, the gain on light and air is welcome where there is foliage that 

 requires it. 



Auriculas are generally grown in cold frames, but better still in a low span-roofed 

 house, preferably with north to south run, and with every facility for free ventilation, 

 but no internal means for artificial heat. This plant will simply not submit nor respond 

 to any "forcing." The foliage would be drawn, and recover with difficulty; while the 

 flowers, if they opened at all, would do so before their natural size, substance, and 

 colourings were developed. Frames have the advantage of being movable to a north 

 aspect for the summer and autumn, and to a southern one for winter and spring — a 

 change that admirably suits a plant delighting in a cool position, and a genial one for 

 its spring growth and flowering period. If kept in a house of sunny aspect all the 

 year round, the plants will require much more attention through the summer, with 

 respect to shading, watering, and warfare against insect pests. The combination of 

 frames and house would be perfect. 



Though a hardy perennial, the Auricula is of limited duration as regards any single 

 plant, which usually enjoys a few years of vigour and then declines. The identity of a 

 variety can only be preserved by the younger plants that from time to time may be 

 given off as offsets. Hence a collection, to be in good maintenance, should always 

 contain a goodly number of these young plants to fill the vacancies occurring in the 

 course of accidents and nature. 



During the year, Auriculas have two periods of marked though differing rest : one 



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