136 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ June, 
in. long, pendent, regularly funnel-shaped, with a bright crimson tube, and 
deep golden yellow erect limb.” 
The Blandfordias are a set of very handsome plants, by far too seldom seen in 
cultivation in our greenhouses, and this is, no doubt, the most beautiful of those 
which are as yet known.—T. Moore. 
THE AUKICULA. 
Chapter II.— Eepotting.—Work for the Month. 
HESE plants, so early astir in the year that there were, perhaps, no out¬ 
door companions awake but the Winter Aconite, Snowdrop, and Christmas 
Rose, begin now to assume one of those distinct changes of habit so 
characteristic of the Auricula. 
Its growth through February, March, and April is very rapid ; wonderfully 
so, considering that it is in no way forced. But now that the bloom is over, the 
large free growth comes suddenly to an end, as if the flower-stem had stopped it; 
and the new heart rises with a speed and foliage much diminished. Judging, 
therefore, from appearances, it would seem as if blooming were a tax upon the 
energies of the Auricula, though being a natural burden, it is one which the plant 
rejoices to bear. 
Nature, ever prepared against the work of a busy time, provided new and 
strong white roots from the most vital part of the stem, just as the rising head 
of bloom began to draw upon the resources of the plant. Shortly after the 
flowering period, the power of these roots, and the sudden cessation of any very 
active growth, combine to aid the plant in its recovery by insuring it both food 
and rest. 
It must be the object of the cultivator at this time to assist his plants in 
getting round after their exertions. Not, however, by any strong stimulant, for 
that is a mistake which may any time end fatally with Auriculas ; but, as I sub¬ 
mit, by the refreshment of repotting, and the evidently, congenial coolness of a 
situation looking north. Repotting-time varies among Auricula-growers. Those 
that repot early do so as the plants pass out of bloom, so that all is finished in 
the course of May ; while those who repot late will conclude the operation early 
in August, since in that month the plants awake to their autumn growth. 
I take up the subject of repotting now, because it is work for the present 
time with me, and not that I have any wish to put forward my own practice as a 
royal road to success. 
Early potting has been supposed to favour that family failing in the Auricula, 
a tendency to bloom in autumn, which spoils the plant in strength and heart for 
the spring. But I can only say that my own plants are particularly quiet and 
attentive to their proper autumn business, and that experience convinces me that 
early potting is not to blame for autumn blooming. But I do believe that a hot 
situation in summer, and especially some check, some slow torture of inattention, 
some neglect by uncleanliness or starvation, may force the plants to throw up 
