134 CULTIVATION. 



respect of the auricula, general rules, however 

 good, are not always applicable. 



At the general shifting, the state and condition 

 of each plant should be regarded and treated ac- 

 cordingly. Such as have been previously shifted, 

 and have improved in growth during the sum- 

 mer, will only require to be transferred to larger- 

 sized pots, reducing the ball a little by removing 

 part of the old soil from the top and bottom, and 

 repotting with fresh compost. Such as have im- 

 proved but little, or remained stationary, should 

 receive a more severe examination, by having the 

 whole of the ball shaken off, to see the state 

 of the tuber and roots. Whenever there are 

 signs of decay, the knife must be applied to 

 remove every vestige, whether dead or dying 

 leaves, fibres, or cankerous spots on the tuber; 

 all which defects should be cut or pared away. 

 The balls of all should be reduced more or less 

 according to their state and the appearance of the 

 roots. Such as appear sugged, compacted, and 

 clingy should be entirely shaken off; but, if 



