126 CULTIVATION. 



than in an over-dry place, till the month of 

 January, when the seeds should be sown. 



Boxes, large-sized pots, or seedling pans, are 

 indifferently used for seed-beds ; and various 

 stations are assigned them, as opinion, or rather 

 as convenience allows. Within striking, or hand- 

 glasses — a cucumber-frame — the front of a green 

 or dwelling-house near the glass — or in a shel- 

 tered place in the open air (the pots being covered 

 with plates of window-glass) — are all recom- 

 mended. But, certainly, the most expeditious 

 way is raising the seedlings in a mild hot-bed, 

 especial care being taken to guard against the 

 warm steam. Such a stimulus brings up every 

 perfect seed, and particularly the weakest, which 

 generally turn out the best flowers ; and which 

 there is a chance of losing, if no assistance be 

 given by the application of artificial heat. 



Too much attention cannot be paid to the 

 effectual drainage of the pots, &c. intended for 

 auriculas. The plant is very soon damaged by 

 water becoming stagnant near its roots. Af 



