THE ERICA. 
147 
plants begin to move, that they may have all the benefit of the 
new soil; and those which are not so treated, should be surface- 
dressed with rich compost, to throw as much strength as possible 
into the forthcoming flowers. The soil we prefer for auriculas, 
whether old or young, is a mixture of equal parts of loam, decayed 
leaf-mould, rotten cow-dung, and silver sand; this will always 
grow them in a healthy manner, and no danger need be appre¬ 
hended should one part of the materials happen to predominate 
over the others. A deep rich colour is imparted to the green of 
some varieties by the use of night-soil and peat; a double quantity 
of the latter should always be mixed, and the former must be 
thoroughly decomposed, or it is highly mischievous. Decayed 
horse-dung or sugar-scum may be added, as an additional pro¬ 
portion to the above, for the top-dressing, which should be given 
to all auriculas at the beginning of March. 
Our present illustration is another seedling from the stock of 
that veteran raiser, Mr. James Dickson, of Acre-lane, Brixton; it 
was originated from seed of Dickson’s Earl Grey, a robust and 
strong growing kind, crossed with Dickson’s Unique, and gained 
the first prize as a seedling of merit, at one of the Metropolitan 
Society’s meetings, and another award of the same kind from the 
Royal South London Floricultural Society. Like its parents, it 
is a fine, strong, healthy growing variety, but sparing of increase. 
To speak of the flowers is unnecessary, as our figure will convey 
the best idea of their properties and general beauty. Suffice it 
to say, in the opinion of many of our best judges, the Duke of 
Sussex is the best gray-edged auricula in cultivation. 
Editor. 
CLAPHAM GARDENERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
THE ERICA, BY MR. E. F. FAIRBAIRN. 
The genus Erica boasts at the present time of from 800 to 1000 
distinct species and varieties, all more or less interesting; but 
there are some species which deserve our highest admiration, 
which I will call your attention to presently. 
The propagation of the Erica is effected by seeds and cuttings, 
but the more general rule is by the latter mode, for perpetuating 
