THE FLORIST. 
77 
MANAGEMENT OF THE AURICULA FOR MARCH. 
About the middle of the month the trusses will be sufficiently for- 
■w'ard to select those intended for exhibition. Seven pips is the 
lowest number allowed by the London societies; therefore select the 
most promising containing that number and upwards. Those with 
round buds, as nearly of a size as possible, the truss also round and 
compact, should be particularly selected; and if there are any mon¬ 
ster pips among them with large oblong tubes or other deformities, 
remove them while young. At this stage of their growth, care must 
be taken in watering that none be allowed to fall into the tubes or 
pipe, if it happen to be exposed, as is the case with some varieties; 
for although the buds be so young, the meal of the eye may be 
formed, and if so the water will run the meal over the ground-colour, 
and when the blossom is expanded it will be found dull and unfit for 
exhibition. 
The mealy-grass varieties require a little extra attention, for 
their beauty is much increased by preserving the white powder on 
their foliage. To obtain this object without drawing the plants 
more than possible, we have been accustomed to nail a strip of wood 
on each side the centre bar of the frame, of sufficient width to shelter 
them from rain, and place the plants beneath it. By this means 
they enjoy a free circulation of air and light till in a proper state of 
forwardness to remove under the hand-glasses, or on the stage. 
J. T. Neville. 
DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS. 
Every grower of Carnations and Picotees must have occasionally 
suffered annoyance from the destruction of the blooms of these 
plants by the thrip. If any reader of the Florist has been fortunate 
enough to find a method of arresting the mischief of this pest, he 
would confer a lasting obligation upon every cultivator by giving 
publicity to the plan he adopts. 
J. E. H. 
Cultivators of florists* flowers should never be without a good 
supply of number-pegs or labels, which for open ground use should 
not be less than six inches in length; for pot use four inches will 
be sufficient. By all means let these be made of uniform shape and 
size; neatness and order are much increased by these methodical 
arrangements. * 
