350 On Raising Auriculas from Seed. 
the middle as the edges of the bason, so that it gradually rises from 
the sides to the centre of each. The soil is then pressed by a small 
board, to make the surface smooth and even. The seed is sov/n in 
a regular manner, and coA^ered with very fine sifted compost, about 
the depth of one-sixteenth of an inch, after which it is again pressed 
down even. This being done, I take a clothes, or other soft brush, 
dip it in water, and give it a shake, to throw off heavy drops ; I then 
shake it over the soil till it is well moistened, after which I water 
close round the side of the bason, so as to keep the compost wet, for 
although x\uricula plants, ^vhen full grown, will not endure much wet, 
yet the soil requires lo be kept very moist, in order to get the seed to 
vegetate. The time I usually so^v my seed, is from the first to the 
middle of January. When sown, I cover the bason over with a bell- 
glass, or a large flat piece of glass, and place it either in a window 
with a south aspect, or the front of a greenhouse. 
About the beginning of March the plants are generally springing 
up; in about a fortnight afterwards the strongest are transplanted into 
fresh compost, as before. In taking up the plants, I use a small pair 
of tweezers, made of ivory, with very narrow points, so as to take up 
each plant by the seed leaf; likewise a piece of ivory, not more than 
one-eighth of an inch broad, for the purpose of making a small cleft in 
the soil to admit the root of the plant, which when placed, the soil is 
carefully closed up. I plant them about an inch apart, and Vater 
them well afterwards, as before directed. 
In about five or six weeks after transplanting, they are again taken 
up, and re-planted in basons, at a greater distance from plant to plant. 
I then venture to water them, through the medium of a watering can, 
with a finely perforated rose. At the end of a few weeks, I again 
remove the plants into other basons, placing the plants at a greater 
distance, and in August, I place them each one in a garden -pot, of the 
size I use for regular blooming plants. Care is taken that the pots 
are well drained with broken pots, gravel, or something of this na- 
ture. The plants will bloom the following spring, which is one year 
earlier than is the case with any Auriculas, I have ever seen raised 
by any other person. 
I am. Gentlemen, 
Your very obedient Servant, 
Thomas Warkjs. 
Sheffield, December, 1831. 
