THE AURICULA. 
85 
dispensed with, and those who are habitual grumblers may rest 
content with the comforting assurance that they are not likely 
to witness a better. It is a fact which repeated observation bears 
out, that Alpine vegetation in general, and the auricula in parti¬ 
cular, grows with far more vigour in sunless weather, than when 
a clear, unbroken sky allows the rays of light to fall in their 
fullest intensity directly upon the plants ;—this is precisely the 
character of the weather we have yet experienced, and though 
the season may not be so forward as usual, present appearances 
promise it will be a good one. Instead of the ordinary exciting 
sun by day and nipping frosts at night, which may be regarded 
as the distinguishing character of March, we have had a very 
even temperature, and an almost total absence of frost, with just 
the kind of moist atmosphere which is found to bring these 
plants steadily forward ; the growth of healthy established stock 
is therefore exactly what is most desirable, the foliage large and 
deeply coloured, and the bloom-stems rising with strength, sur¬ 
mounted by “real cauliflowers,” waiting only the influence of 
April, “ smiling through her tears,” to burst forth in all their 
resplendency. 
A few practical hints in connexion with this bursting forth 
may be useful to the beginner. Many is the good truss I have 
seen spoiled by an over-anxious desire to get them out; indeed, 
it is just now that mischief is most readily done, and the real 
amateur,—he who delights in them as objects of natural beauty, 
and shows them as instances of his own skill,—he of all others is 
most likely to err, unless cool, calculating experience can be 
brought to his aid. In such a case, they are grown against time, 
and unless in full beauty on the appointed day, are comparatively 
devoid of interest, hence the desire to have them expand; but 
whatever the consequence of an obstinate refusal on the part of 
any particular variety to unfold its loveliness, it is positively use¬ 
less to attempt forcing it open by any increase of temperature; 
the causes which operate beneficially on most other floral forms 
are here inert, or perhaps injurious, for it is by no means an un¬ 
common result in the impatient adoption of some such measure, 
to “ set” the pips, as it is called; they are then immoveable, 
never afterwards advancing an iota : any sudden change of tem¬ 
perature has this effect, and ? whether arising from an increase or 
