384 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



can seldom exhibit in his best form. His plants bloom too late 

 for the shows, in consequence'of an almost total absence of sun ; 

 but they are models of excellent culture, and I can bear personal 

 testimony to their wonderful health and vigour. Indeed, so good 

 a judge as Mr. James Douglas, in writing to me after one of his 

 visits to this garden, said, M Had Ben but a climate he would 

 beat creation." 



I think I have now given ample evidence in support of my 

 assertion that the Auricula is perfectly hardy and well adapted 

 for town gardens. On the question of space you have sufficient 

 proof in the plants before you. An ordinary garden-frame, 6 feet 

 by 3 feet, will accommodate ninety-eight full-grown specimen 

 plants, 5 square inches being sufficient space for the finest plants 

 grown. As most Auricula-frames are placed against a wall or 

 some other kind of fence, it is very desirable not to have them 

 more than 3 feet in width, so that the back row of plants may 

 be reached with ease. The length of the frame can be deter- 

 mined according to the size of the collection of plants. My idea 

 of a model frame is one 3 feet wide (inside measurement), 3 feet 

 deep at back, and 2 feet deep in front, and any length required. 

 The centre board in front to be hung upon hinges, and fastened 

 at top with a button. By this means air can be admitted under- 

 neath the plants when required. The staging for the plants to 

 be made of wood 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick, and in seven 

 tiers, two pieces of wood to be placed on each tier and a space 

 of 1 inch to be left between the two pieces to prevent water 

 lodging underneath the pots. The frames should be made of 

 good yellow deal 1^-inch thick, painted outside a dark stone 

 colour, and a light stone colour inside. The lights to be 3 feet 

 square and made of 2 -inch stuff, and glazed with 21 oz. glass 

 in six pieces, so as to have but one lap, and thus avoid drip. 

 Frames of the dimensions given are nornecessary for the plants 

 themselves, but for the comfort of the cultivator. With such 

 frames but little stooping is required and back- aching is reduced 

 to a minimum ; and under such conditionsfplants will be sure to 

 meet with better treatment. 



I have sometimes been asked : "Is a greenhouse necessary 

 for the successful cultivation of the Auricula?" My reply is, 

 No, certainly not. Auriculas can be grown to a high degree of 

 excellence in cold frames, but a greenhouse is a luxury to the 



