April 23, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
323 
23 
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Royal Society at 4.30 r.M. 
24 
F 
Quekett Club at 8 p.m. 
25 
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Royal Botanic Society at 3.45 P.M. 
26 
SUN 
3rd Sunday after Easter. 
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28 
TU 
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AURICULAS IN THE ASCENDANT. 
? Pj^s||^^NCE a year there is a great gathering together 
^ ese loveliest of alpine flowers and their 
cultivators in London, and each year the 
j * n * ;eres k fl° wers appears to widen and 
^ deepen. It does not follow that the magnitude 
°f shows increase. There may be a few plants 
I more or less staged on one occasion than another 
l 'C^ —the weather determining the difference mainly, 
'w' as one grower’s Auriculas may be over while those of 
r another may not quite be “in ” at the particular date 
of the meeting. 
The northern growers have more than once been handi¬ 
capped in this matter, and have either had to refrain from 
competition or force out the blooms too rapidly and stage 
them at a disadvantage. Only persons thoroughly imbued 
with a love for the flowers they cultivate so well, and 
animated with a strong and most commendable desire to 
induce others to admire and grow them too, would subject 
their plants to such risks as are involved by unnatural 
forcing and long transit. 
It is always a misfortune when the northern growers 
cannot exhibit in their best manner. When their plants and 
flowers are just as they like to see them they appear to 
possess a sturdiness, refinement, and brightness that is not 
as a rule equally represented in Auriculas grown in the 
south. Altitude and brisk summer breezes appear to stamp 
the northern plants with a character all their own. We 
shall never forget the climb to the summit of a formidable 
hill in Yorkshire, nor the wonderful sturdiness of the Auri¬ 
culas of the late Mr. Woodhead. In texture of foliage they 
almost resembled Echeverias. Such growth, we imagine, is 
practically unattainable in the lower situation and softer air 
in the neighbourhood of the metropolis ; but the Auricula is 
fortunately a tractable and accommodating plant, and can 
be, and is, grown in splendid condition in the south of 
England. 
Such plants as those annually staged by Mr. Douglas 
have never been surpassed, if equalled, for vigour. Some 
florists pay Mr. Douglas the compliment that he grows them 
too well. Be this as it may, he grows them well enough 
to win a full share of the honours, and it is unanimously 
conceded that every prize awarded to him is merited. By 
his admirable productions and his steady persevering labour 
in connection with that section of the National Auricula 
Society with which he is identified, he must be credited with 
having done more to popularise the Auricula in the southern 
districts of the kingdom than any other amateur cultivator 
of recent times. 
The great Auricula emporium at Slough is fuller and 
richer than ever, Mr. Charles Turner abundantly maintain¬ 
ing the high position he has occupied so long both as a 
grower and raiser of these charmingly attractive flowers. 
The esteem in which this great florist is held appears to 
grow with the growth of his stocks and increase in intensity 
with their increasing numbers, and his sons who are able 
.No. 252 .—Vol. X., Third Ser’es 
coadjutors worthily share in the confidence reposed in the 
family by the floral world. Mr. Cannell, too, has found it 
necessary to apply his admitted energy to the production of 
Auriculas, which are now largely represented and receive 
solicitous attention in the “Home ” at Swanley ; while Mr. 
Dean continues raising and increasing his pretty laced 
varieties. 
Evidently the Auricula constituency is a large one, and 
collections large and small must be forming in considerable 
numbers in various parts of the country. It is pleasant to 
feel that this is the case, because the plants are so well 
adapted for even the smallest gardens. There is probably 
no group of plants that can afford so much beauty in an 
equally smalj^space. It is not easy to imagine that more 
beauty could be compressed into a plant so small yet so 
perfect as a first class well-grown Auricula when in the full 
freshness of its peculiar charms. Symmetry, purity, bold 
contrasting, yet never violently clashiug, colours are its 
predominating characteristics, and to these is to be added 
the great quality of being hardy or nearly so—an advantage 
that brings it within the cultural means of the million. 
All the good qualities of the Auricula were well repre¬ 
sented at the Southern Show of Tuesday last, and though 
more extensive displays have been seen, it may be taken as 
a good average exhibition both as to numbers and merit. 
The long-prevailing east winds had most injuriously checked 
some collections, and in certain northern districts flowers 
are only just opening. On the other hand, in the south the 
recent unusually hot weather had been equally unfavourable 
to many plants, especially those that were rather forward. 
Still, with these disadvantages the show provided gave 
general satisfaction. In some of the classes remarkably fine 
examples were contributed, and there was a most pleasing 
freshness throughout. The admired plant of the day was 
the Bev. F. D. Horner’s premier, Greyhound, which a most 
experienced judge pronounced the model of what an Auricula 
should be. With well-developed but not coarse foliage, a 
stout strong truss of ten handsome pips, each smooth, sub¬ 
stantial, and well placed, the plant was conspicuous amongst 
the other plants, fine as they were, with which their exhibitor 
secured chief honours in the class. In several other classes 
Mr. Horner’s plants were also of notable quality, the beauti¬ 
ful varieties exciting the admiration of all and the envy of 
many. 
There is always one portion of the Auricula Show which 
possesses considerable interest to lovers of hardy flowers— 
namely, that devoted to species and varieties of Primulas, 
and of these some good collections are usually contributed. 
It appears, however, very probable that in 1886 these classes 
will, under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society, 
be developed into an exhibition of some magnitude. The 
proposition is to hold a Primula Conference at the same 
time as the National Auricula Society’s Southern Show, and 
endeavour to obtain as many representative species and 
varieties of the charming Primrose family as possible. One 
object of such a gathering would be to prove to the public 
the value of such as garden plants, and few are acquainted 
with their merits in that respect if the Polyanthuses and 
ordinary coloured Primroses be excepted. Another object is 
to afford an opportunity for discussing the peculiarities of 
Primulas in regard to culture, variableness, and other points, 
and that much of an interesting and instructive character 
would result from such a meeting could not be reasonably 
doubted. A Joint Committee of the Royal Horticultural 
and National Auricula Societies will, however, be appointed, 
and to them the arrangements will be entrusted. 
The National Auricula Society has reached an important 
period in its history, and it is pleasant to be able to record 
that it is receiving substantial and increasing support. With 
a united Committee and energetic officers there is every 
reason to hope for a steady advance in popularity. The 
great object of the Society is to foster a love of a charming 
No. 1908.— Vol. LXXII.. Old Series. 
