THE AURICULA. 
207 
The exhibitors of old thought nothing of car- 
rying a pair of Auriculas, with their heavy pots 
and boxes to hold them, j::st as a pair of milk 
pails are carried, with a yoke upon their shoul- 
ders, and the boxes hanging down by two 
straps. It was nothing uncommon to see 
seven or eight growers arrive, after this fashion, 
at the end of journies of ten, or even fifteen 
miles — such was the enthusiasm in their day, 
and, after the show and the usual dinner, trudg- 
ing home with them again, just as carefully. 
We have often remarked that Auricula seed 
comes up in batches. The first that get strong 
enough to pot out, forming one season ; those 
that are immediately behindhand, another ; and 
often, when we have cleared a seed-pot of all 
that appeared, the top has been laid level again, 
and another batcli has come up, as if they had 
been fresh sown; nor is it right to throw away 
the stuff under a clear twelvemontTis, for we 
have known as many come up the following 
spring as did the first. 
As a general though not universal rule, the 
earliest and strongest of the seedling Auriculas 
are coarsest and least valuable, the weakest 
and most delicate are the most beautiful. This 
accounts for so many fine flowers being 
known as seedlings, and never being seen 
afterwards. We treat all alike, while the con- 
stitutions of plants are as varied as those of 
men ; and hundreds of good new flowers have 
been thus lost. 
GARDENING CALENDAR FOR MAY. 
THE CONSEIIVATOHY. 
At this time of year, and onwards through 
the summer, the Conservatory should be kept as 
cool as perfect ventilation will allow it to be- 
come. A great many of the plants which are 
permanently planted in the borders, flower at 
an early part of the season, and unless they are 
allowed to sink as far as possible into a state of 
rest, during the summer months, they will not 
flower so satisfactorily as could be wished. 
There may be some sacrifice of flowers in this 
mode of treatment, during the summer and 
autumn, but this is just the period when they 
can best be dispensed with ; and there is no 
necessity that the Conservatory should be 
without flowers, or even very deficient in 
quality ; but it may certainly now, for a few 
months forward, be less particularly orna- 
mented, than during the other parts of the 
year. 
Temperature, <£c. — Ventilate during the 
daytime to the full extent of which the struc- 
ture is capable ; the temperature will then be 
regulated by the amount of sun-heat. At 
night also admit a portion of air to keep 
down the night temperature ; but never 
admit the air in currents : no artificial heat is 
required. 
Watering. — For the most part the perma- 
nent plants will require to be watered pretty 
freely ; the heat of the sun will cause evapora- 
linii to go on pretty briskly from the soil, and 
unless this be met by the application of water 
the plants will suli'er more or less. When 
water i- applied it should be done effectually, 
and not in a continual drizzling manner: a good 
soaking once a fortnight —more or less fre- 
quently as the state of the weather may render 
necessary -will he far better than a more li- 
mited application every two or three days. 
All the plants not in bloom will be benefited 
by an occasional syringing or washing over- 
head with the engine ; this may be done once 
a week, and at this time of year is best done 
towards evening. The paths, &c. should be 
sprinkled daily to raise some degree of mois- 
ture in the air : if they could be kept damp so 
much the better. 
Shading. — This will probably now become 
very necessary ; it should be recollected that 
it is only for a few hours in the middle of the 
day, on those days when the sun is very power- 
ful, that it is required ; perhaps, on a clear 
day, from half-past ten in the morning till 
half-past three in the afternoon. 
Pruning. — Attend to the thinning, pruning, 
stopping, and regulating of the young annual 
shoots, so that the plants do not become 
crowded with weak useless shoots, nor naked 
and bare at the lower part of the branches : 
consult what was said at p. 157. 
Rows. — Where conservatories are kept cool, 
some of the China and Tea-scented Koses will 
bloom iu it to perfection during the summer ; 
and add much interest to the building if a few 
good and distinct kinds are selected : these 
plants sometimes do not succeed quite well out 
of doors, owing to the variableness of our cli- 
mate ; under a glass protection they succeed 
to perfection. 
Myrtles. — When large Myrtles and other 
plants of a similar nature have been preserved 
in any part of this house, which is often the 
case, they may now be set out of doors in a 
sheltered situation ; and it' the weather should 
happen to be very congenial for the time of 
year, a \r\-y slight protection, such as a garden 
mat, or a piece of canvass hung over them, 
will afford as much protection as they 
require. 
Climbers. — The training, pruning, and tie- 
