1870 .] 
THE AURICULA.-CHAPTER III. 
159 
Probably, therefore, no one but a grower or real lover of Auriculas would 
linger long among them in July. Some of the plants have almost laid aside 
their distinctive habit; the latest foliage is little more than bud-folds for the 
new heart, and as we draw out the ripened flower-stems, it is like watching the 
wan sunset of a winter’s day—we feel it wants a long time to the next rising. 
I may here note that the summer habit of seedlings, and buxom young 
maiden plants, will be found to differ from that of the staid old specimens, just 
as childhood and youth have each their own vivacity, in contrast with the settled 
ways of up-grown folk. Small plants will grow rapidly through the summer, if 
encouraged to do so ; indeed, a maiden plant followed up as fast as it will grow 
is the most valuable, and in some varieties the very best, for an exhibition bloom. 
It is wonderful how soon these infants are grown on into plants, if hurt by no 
check by drought, or wind, or hot sun. That which in a north aspect catches 
them for a few cool hours on summer mornings and evenings has a very rich 
effect upon the plants. Those repotted as I have stated should now have bitten 
their new soil with evident relish. The foliage on white plants in health will be 
well mealed and stout in the heart; and ,on green ones, very thick, stiff, and 
glossy, the whole plant shining as if highly varnished, the neck swelling white 
and succulent, as though the plant were sitting stoutly on the soil, and not 
threadily spindling through it. All these are fine signs of health, while dull 
and papery foliage, probably poor in colour, is certainly poor growth. 
If the Auricula means to take kindly to its new compost, it does so with quick 
determination, as a trout rises ; but no amount of teazing and coaxing will avail 
if there be anything distasteful or wrong in the pot. Should that be so, and the 
symptoms not referable to over-watering or defective drainage, which may be 
corrected without much disturbance, it is best to bravely face the work of re¬ 
potting afresh. The compost may be trusted which I use and have described, 
but there is a possible danger in an unfamiliar loam. I saw a collection go wrong 
where fine, fat-looking, fibry soil had been cut from a broad road-side. Probably 
there were traces of iron or some offensive road-metal in it, for no Auricula would 
root into it, and the plants never went on till started in a different soil. 
Work for the Month. —Draw out the blooming stems as they turn yellow. 
If they are wet and mouldy, instead of dry and straw-like, the ventilation has 
probably been insufficient. Eemove the occasional faded leaf among the old 
foliage ; its decay may injure the sensitive stem, and harbour vermin. Heads 
of seed-pods that have gone back, of which there are many this year, may be 
knocked off, that the idle stem may ripen for removal. 
Look after green-fiy assiduously, and among the drainage for wood-lice, that 
eat the ends of the white roots, which always descend and enjoy themselves 
there. About this time begin to expect a few green caterpillars, that will be 
caught on the under side of the foliage, eating round the edge ; and still worse, 
an ugly larva, of mysterious origin, a dark, tough maggot, that knits the heart 
together with a faint web, while he bores under shelter of his tent down to the 
