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ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE AURICULA. 



become too dry, either before or after the seedlings appear, a gentle sprinkling of 

 tepid water may be given to encourage the growth. 



Soon as the seedlings are large enough, they should be pricked out two inches 

 asunder, into middle-sized pots, filled with proper compost, and particularly well 

 drained. In these they are nursed till August, when they may again be removed 

 into the smallest-sized pots (sixties), in which they are to remain to flower. 



The best compost for auriculas is found to be a mixture of equal quantities of 

 fresh yellow loam, rotten cow- dung, night soil two years old, leaf-mould, and to 

 which is added, about a tenth of sea or river sand. For top-dressing in February, 

 the compost may be further enriched by the addition of moderate portions of the 

 dung of poultry, sugar-baker's scum, or decomposed sheep droppings. But 

 however rich and suitable the compost may be, fresh, dry air is indispensable, as 

 the auricula seldom thrives in a low and moist situation. 



The best season for shifting the plants from small to larger pots is about the 

 beginning of August. Some strong individuals may require shifting sooner, even 

 immediately after flowering ; and these, and all others, when shifted, if encumbered 

 by side shoots, may be cut or slipped off, and placed in small pots, to make 

 roots, if an increase of the kind be required. In the business of shifting, every 

 ball should be examined ; some may be saddened, and require reducing, in order 

 to admit a sufficient addition of fresh compost in the shift. Such as are full of 

 healthy roots, and the compost in good and sweet condition, will only require to 

 be placed in a somewhat larger pot ; and in all cases of potting, the plant should 

 be so placed as the lower leaves be half an inch above the surface of the soil, and 

 this about one inch beneath the rim of the pot. This depth beneath the rim is 

 intended to admit as large a top-dressing as possible in the spring to assist the 

 plants to flower strongly. 



After the shifting, the plants are set in an airy but somewhat shady place, 

 until they have made fresh roots, and be fit to take their place on the stage for 

 the winter. Auricula stages, of several shelves, are usually formed within a slight 

 wooden building, in form of an alcove. It is open in front to admit the south- 

 east sun. The roof slopes backwards, and should be formed of moveable panels 

 to admit a warm shower occasionally. Here the collection is kept during winter, 

 and throughout the flowering season. In very severe frosts, coverings and 

 curtains of mats are employed ; and temporary shades are used to keep off the 

 mid-day sun after the flowers are blown. 



Constant attention is required to keep the plants in health, and free from 

 decayed leaves, moss, or other litter on the surface of the pots ; and water must 

 be given in moderate quantities as often as each plant requires it. 



The opening of the first flowers of the seedlings is particularly interesting to 

 the cultivator ; for though he may expect to have many inferior flowers, fit only 

 to be transferred to the common flower borders, he may, by chance, have some 

 first-rate beauties, which will well repay all his labour. This is a source of 



