1876. ] 
NEW AUEICULAS. 
253 
warm, dry border; also Broad Beans ; but there is a long winter to contend 
with, and very little dependence can be placed on this sowing. All roots in 
store, including Onions^ Potatos^ &c., should be looked over on wet days, and any 
that are going to decay removed. At similar times, also, clean home-saved seeds, 
make labels, &c. Get all vacant ground manured, and dug or trenched, as 
opportunities offer. More especially if it is heavy clay soil is it desirable to 
get it turned up in good time, so as to expose it to frost through the winter. Any 
alterations or extra work to be done, such as making walks, laving box-edging, 
&c., should be pushed forward, and finished before the end of the year. 
Forcing-ground: If it is desirable to have Early Asparagus^ some roots 
should now be lifted and placed in a frame or forcing-house, where a moderate 
heat can be insured ; place the roots thickly together, and give them a soaking 
with liquid manure; cover them with six inches of light soil, and keep the 
frames close till the heads begin to appear, after which air should be given freely 
to promote size and colour. A few Sea-Tcale roots may also be taken up, and 
placed either in the mushroom-house or other place where there is a gentle heat, 
covering the crowns sufficiently with coal-ashes or other open material, to blanch 
the heads. Bhuharh roots may also be placed in the mushroom-house or in a cellar 
for an early crop, but it is preferable to grow it in the light, if there is con¬ 
venience in the forcing-houses to do so. Some Chicory-voois, should be taken up, 
and put in some dark place, to grow and blanch. Mustard and Cress should be 
sown every week, and a few roots of Mint and Tarragon placed in the forcing- 
house. This is a good time to make up beds for Mushrooms for a winter supply; 
keep a moist atmosphere in the house, and sprinkle the beds that are coming 
into bearing. Cucumhers that were sown last month should now be planted out 
as before advised, and a moist atmosphere, with a temperature of 70° to 75° 
maintained, with air every day when the weather is favourable; use water 
sparingly, so that the soil may not get soddened^ but whenever water is used, it 
should always be of the same temperature as the air of the house. Continue to 
sow successional crops of French Beans^ and give those in bearing occasional 
waterings with liquid manure.—J. Powell, Frogmore. 
NEW AUEICULAS. 
NOTWITHSTANDING that some have come to the conclusion that a decline 
has taken place in the cultivation of the Auricula—a conclusion I am 
not disposed to admit—it is yet quite true that the production of 
seedling flowers goes on apace, and good new varieties are being announced. 
It must always be a slow process, for the Auricula is a somewhat uncertain 
flower, and a test of something like three or four seasons, at least, is absolutely 
required to determine its character. Mediocre flowers will not do. We already 
possess splendid varieties in each of the four sections into which the Auricula is 
divided, and additions should be marked by some points of undoubted excellence. 
Mr. John Read, of Market-Eaisen—a fine old florist, who may be said to link 
the present generation of florists to that which is past—sent me, at the flowering 
season, some blooms of seedling Auriculas that appeared to possess considerable 
refinement of character. I took notes of them at the time, after a careful exami¬ 
nation, and now send you my descriptions, as a record well worthy of the pages 
of the Florist and Pomologist. 
