ON THE CULTURE OF THE AUEICULA. 
41 
might cause the colours to run, and the sun would render them faded and dull in colour ; 
consequently some slight protection in the way of shade must be afforded to them. Many 
contrivances for this purpose have been 
put in requisition, such as small glasses, 
paper caps, (fig. a.) square pieces of wood, 
&c. (fig. b.) but I think hand-glasses, 
capable of holding nine pots, can be 
managed with less trouble, and a greater 
regard for appearance. An hour s morn- 
ing sun will give additional brilliancy to 
the colours ; at all other times after they 
begin to expand they must be carefully 
shaded. After the blooming season is over, I will again resume 
this subject. 
With regard to sowing the seeds of Auricula, I may just say, 
that the present month is full late for the purpose, but those 
cultivators who may have delayed the business, should lose no 
further time. The seed may be sown either in pans or pots; the compost best 
suited for the purpose, is one part turfy loam, one part peat earth, one part leaf 
mould, one part horse manure rotted into mould, with a little silver sand. Let this be 
well prepared, and passed through a tolerably fine sieve ; see that your pots have good 
drainage, by means of broken crocks placed at the bottom ; fill them with the compost to 
the level of the rim; give the pot a firm shake on a bench, to settle the soil, which 
should sink below the rim half an inch ; then sow the seed regularly over the surface, and 
press it gently down ; to cover it with soil is not necessary ; moisten it lightly, from the 
spray of a soft brush dipped in water; place the pots in a southern aspect, under a small 
frame ; keep them near the glass, but shaded from the sun ; give air by drawing the lights off 
the frames for half an hour in the morning, and then close them for the remainder 
of the day ; protect from frost ; and the young plants will appear in five or six weeks. 
The properties which constitute a perfect auricula for exhibition, are : — 1st. A ivell groimi 
plant, compact habit, foliage nearly covering the pot, 2nd. Floiver-steni six inches in height, 
round, upright, and sufficiently strong, to well support the truss of bloom. 3rd. The Truss 
should be round, and compact, showing seven or more pips, without the slightest division. 
4th. A Ball Truss is the more perfect bloom, but it may be shown with a gourd leaf. 
5th. The Foot-stalks of the flowers should be strong, elastic, and well-proportioned. 
6th. The Pips must measure from one inch to one aud a quarter in diameter, free from 
indenture, and perfectly flat. 7th. The j^aste is required to be smooth, fine in texture, 
pure white, forming a circle half the width of the tube. 8th. The Ground-colour must 
be solid, dense, and rich, forming a circle on the inner side ; the outer should be finely 
broken into a feathery band, clean on the edge ; it may be broad or narrow, but must 
not break through to the outward edging ; the marking may be black, red, brown, or violet, 
but no shade of any other colour must intermingle. 9th. The Margin is required to be 
of a permanent green, grey, or white, quite circular, but not limited to width. In selecting 
a pair of auriculas for exhibition, always choose plants of the same height. This is 
greatly in favour of insuring a prize. The following are a few good varieties for exhibition : — 
Edges. — Taylor's Glory, Taylor's Favourite, Cheat- 
ham's Countess of Wilton, Clegg's Crucifix. Sblfs, 
— Netherwood's Othello, Eedman's Metropolitan, 
Headley's Eoyal Purple, Smith's Mrs. Smith. 
Green Edges. — Page's Champion, Hudson's 
Apollo, Booth's Freedom, Lee's Colonel Taylor, 
Grey Edges. — Dickson's Unique, Dickson's Matilda, 
Hedge's Britannia, Fletcher's Ne plus Ultra. White 
This list might be very considerably enlarged, 
attending to the wishes of any persons in this respect. 
I shall have much pleasure in 
VOL, I. — NO. II, 
