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BEAUTIFUL GARDEN FLOWERS. 
Hendersoni (deep violet-blue) ; Eyrei (deep violet- 
purple) ; Froebeli (reddisli-purple) ; grseca (lilac) ; pur- 
purea, purple, and its fine sub-variety Dr. Mules, witli 
vivid purple-violet blossoms ; Souvenir de William 
Ingram (rich rose-purple) ; and violacea (violet- 
purple) all practically forms of deltoidea. A rarer 
species is A. tauricola with compact masses of neat 
foliage, and masses of rose-purple flowers. 
AURICULA [Primula Auricula). — These charming 
florists’ flowers are usually divided into two main 
groups, called the “ Show,” and “Alpine.” The show 
group is divided into “ seifs ” and “ edged ” varieties, 
the latter being green, grey, or white, according to 
the presence, or absence, or density of the powdery 
deposit, or “farina,” on the edge of the blossom. 
The Alpine group consists of self-coloured or shaded 
varieties, and are generally more hardy and useful for 
the decoration of the flower border. All kinds of 
Auriculas, however, although perfectly hardy, give the 
most satisfactory results if they can be grown in a 
cold frame during the winter months, as they often 
suffer a good deal more from wet than from cold. A 
good loamy soil, enriched with leaf soil or well- 
decayed cow-manure, and kept open by sand or grit, 
makes a capital compost for plants to be grown in 
pots ; and the soil in the open garden should conform 
to that ideal as far as possible. The plants like plenty 
of moisture when in full growth, and if planted in 
warm sheltered spots — partially shaded from hot sun- 
shine — will make a lovely picture in April and May. 
In mild seasons they often bloom a second time in 
autumn, and even as late as Christmas, but such 
