880 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



the greatest connoisseurs agree that it denotes the greatest 

 merit where the tuhp abounds with rich coloring, distributed 

 in a distinct and regular manner throughout the flower, except 

 at the bottom of the cup, where it should be a clear bright 

 white or yellow, free from stain or tinge. 



AURICULAS. 



Auriculas will now be coming into bloom, and will require 

 particular attention, that they may not be injured by dashing 

 rains or cutting winds ; for this purpose, they should be pro- 

 tected in frames, and covered with glasses occasionally, and 

 placed so that they may be the least exposed to the rays of 

 the sun ; or, if such a situation be not to be conveniently met 

 with, they may be shaded with mats or canvas, from eight or 

 nine in the morning till three or four in the afternoon, in sunny 

 days, and at all times carefully protected from much wet, as 

 the farinaceous matter upon the petals, which adds so much to 

 the beauty of these flowers, will be much injured, if not entirely 

 washed off, by rain. They will require to be carefully sup- 

 plied with water at their roots during the period of their 

 flowering, but not over-head, i\)Y the reason above stated. 

 Those who are high in the fancy of this flower, have stages 

 made on purpose for them, and so constructed, that the 

 plants are at the same time pr(>to . ted from rniris, wind, and 

 too much sun-shine. 



CRITERION OF A FINE AURICULA. 



An auricula, to be of the first rank in the estimation of the 

 florist, should have the flower-stem sufficiently tall to elevate 

 the truss of bloom a little above the foliage, so that it may be 

 seen to greater advantage ; it should, at the same time, be 

 clastic, upright, and strong. The foot-stalks of the flowers 

 should be also strong, elastic, and of a length corresponding 

 to the number aiul size of the pips, which should not be less 

 than seven in number. The pip is composed of the tub, with 

 its anthers and ,sf(n?ic/is, the eye, and the outer circle, con- 

 taining the ground color, with its edge or margin. These 



