51 
as soon expect a broomstick, set in a heap of 
sand, to take root and grow. And surely no 
lover of flowers will think it too much trouble 
to prepare a few barrowsful of mould every 
year in succession, which is sufficient for any 
private fancier ; but a dealer in Auriculas will 
want, of course, a greater quantity : now ten or 
twelve barrowsful, when rotted down (allowing 
for waste) will pot olf and mould up from two 
to two hundred and fifty large blooming 
plants, or thereabouts, and I should recom- 
mend it to be mixed up in the month of March 
or April. Every plant and flower hath its 
favourite soil, in which it delights most and 
thrives best, and the soil which gives life and 
vigour to one flower, would starve and be 
almost certain poison to another. The Auri- 
cula requires a very rich soil that will nou- 
rish and support it, properly tempered and 
sweetened by the sun, frost, and air. 
After having, during many years practice, 
tried almost every kind of soil recommended 
for the culture of the plant, I have found the 
following Composts best agree with it, and 
which I shall hereafter describe under the 
heads of different numbers, viz. No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 
6, 7} 8, &c. The earth that moles have 
turned up in dry pasture ground, or rich 
c 2 
