10 
CULTURE OF THE AURICULA. 
frame or pit should be covered with wooden shutters, instead of glass lights, to 
secure the plants from the effects of sudden frosts during the night. 
4. Never allow auriculas, either before, at the time of, or after, flowering, to be 
exposed to heavy dashing rains. When the flower stems begin to rise in February, 
they may be exposed now and then to a gentle shower, but after the flowers begin 
to expand, this practice must be discontinued ; and be repeated again, but seldom, 
after they have done flowering until the succeeding February, watered carefully 
with a small watering-pot, and the leaves kept as dry as possible. 
5. Auriculas, while in their winter quarters, must receive as much air and light 
as the weather will permit. And during the month of March, when the flower stems 
are rising up, the shutters must be entirely removed in fine days, but replaced again 
at night ; and, in case of frost, be closely covered down with mats or straw. Never 
expose the plants too hastily to the sun in a morning after frost, but allow every 
symptom of it to disappear before you open them. 
5. During mid-winter, that is, throughout December and January, give auriculas 
little or no water; but in February and March, water them at least once a week 
with diluted liquid manure. 
6. Any time from the beginning to the middle of February, the plants must be 
top-dressed with the soil recommended for potting, taking off a sufficient portion 
of the old soil, to admit the new. The same process must be performed again in 
September. 
7* When the flower buds begin to swell, thin out all the small ones, never 
leaving more than ten buds to flower. 
8. Although the plants at the time the buds are swelling, must be exposed 
to gentle rains and the full influence of the sun, the buds themselves must be 
exposed to neither ; the former will cause the colours of the flowers to run into, and 
mix with, each other ; the latter will cause them to be faded and dull. On the other 
hand, if the buds are never exposed to the sun at all, the colours of the flowers will 
be much less vivid. To obviate these difficulties, shade the flowers with small 
boards, about five inches square, placed upon sticks, as 
in the figure. And to attain brilliancy of colours, expose 
the buds to the influence of the sun for an hour, or 
more, every morning, and at all other times : from the 
buds beginning to swell until they are expanded, and 
wanted for the show, keep them carefully shaded. 
9. Place the plants intended to produce seed under 
a south wall as soon as the flowers begin to fade, and give them a good supply of 
water. As soon as the seed is ripe, sow it in pans or feeders, filled with the compost 
in which the plants are grown, having previously placed a quantity of it in a hot 
oven, that all the seeds of weeds, &c. may be destroyed. Fill the pans to within half 
an inch of the top at the edges, but something higher in 
the middle. Sprinkle the soil with water, sow the seed, 
and cover it lightly with the same compost, finely sifted. 
