274 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ December, 
as little think of “ watering freely ” as you would of carrying up the contents 
of the larder to your bed-room. 
In fogs that seem to start a cold perspiration on the plants, let them have 
every breath of air. Only shut them up “ when winds whistle cold.” A north¬ 
easter at a little above freezing will distress them, while full exposure to a calm 
day’s frost will but promote that sturdy, hardy habit which is best, because 
most natural. 
t 
Let me repeat that the only winter enemies—all easily combatted by care— 
are stagnant, mouldy damps, for want of ventilation; cold, cutting winds ; a soil 
too wet; and water lodging in the heart by drip or rain. Jack Frost, as if he 
knowingly tapped each pot in your collection, will crack you those he finds 
sadly over-wet. 
Treatment of Auriculas for another wintry month will nothing vary from 
what I have already given, so it occurs to me that a little leisure space may be 
profitably and amusingly occupied with a general election of the best sorts. 
Speaking with some brother florists, and writing to the rest, I have met with 
a most kind and prompt response. The selections are from wide ranges of ex¬ 
perience, and though tastes of course will differ, and judgments vary, yet each 
one gives the flowers he knows and likes the best. Some old florists, who have 
not seen the newer gems, lay such a stress on this in their accompanying letters, 
that I think it is but fair I should thus far mention it. All the lists have not 
come in, but shall appear next month, if not this. I have asked for the six best 
Auriculas in order of merit in each class, and the six best Alpines. And now 
to our “ Winter’s Tale :—” 
“ What wisdom stirs among you ? Come, sirs, now,” 
“lam for you again; pray you, sit by us. 
And toll’s a tale.” 
Mr. James Alexander, Sandville, Strabane. Ireland. 
Green-edged. 
Leigh’s Colonel Taylor. 
Page’s Champion. 
Trail’s Prince of Greens. 
Booth’s Freedom. 
Trail’s Anna. 
Beeston’s Apollo. 
Grey-edged. 
Headly’s George Lightbody. 
Walker’s George Levick. 
Kay’s Alexander Meiklejohn. 
Lancashire’s Lancashire Hero. 
Smith’s General Bolivar. 
Waterhouse’s Conqueror of 
Europe. 
White-edged. 
Heap’s Smiling Beauty. 
Taylor’s Glory. 
Ashworth’s Regular. 
Summerscale’s Catharina. 
Lightbody’s Sophia Duma- 
resque. 
Lee’s Earl Grosvenor. 
Selfs. 
Campbell’s Pizarro. 
Spalding’s Blackbird. 
Spalding’s Metropolitan. 
Lightbody’s Wm. Lightbody. 
Martin’s Mrs. Sturrock. 
Pohlman’s Ellen Lancaster. 
Rev. F. Fitzpatrick, Cloone, Mohill, Ireland. 
Green-edged. 
Page’s Champion. 
Booth’s Freedom. 
Trail’s Anna. 
Leigh’s Colonel Taylor. 
Ashton’s Prince of Wales. 
Litton’s Imperator. 
Grey-edged. 
Kay’s Alexander Meiklejohn. 
Lancashire’s Lancashire Hero, 
Headly’s George Lightbody. 
Sykes’ Complete. 
Smith’s Bolivar. 
Headly’s Charles E. Brown. 
White-edged. 
Heap’s Smiling Beauty. 
Taylor’s Gloiy. 
Smith’s Ne Plus Ultra. 
Lee’s Earl Grosvenor. 
Hepworth’s True Briton. 
Lightbody’s Miss Lightbody. 
Selfs. 
Campbell’s Pizarro. 
Spalding’s Blackbird. 
Netherwood’s Othello. 
Campbell’s Lord of Lome. 
Smith’s Garland. 
Spalding’s Metropolitan. 
