SEPTEMBER. 
271 
the air, for no plant requires more of free air than the Auricula. When 
established the stages should face the north at all times, except from 
February till April, and the plants have all the air possible, and the 
night dews, but no rain. 
As winter approaches, water should gradually be withheld till they 
go to their winter’s rest, for the less succulence there is in the leaves 
the less will they suffer by the severity of cold. . Still they must not 
become entirely dry, even in the winter ; and therefore it is better to 
cover them entirely and efficiently during a frost, by mattings or frigi 
domo, as they are in their Alpine homes by their mantle of snow. 
It is of considerable importance during the autumn and winter to keep 
the plants free from decayed leaves, or dead matter will be taken into 
the circulation. 
Nothing else is needed till the frost breaks up and returning life 
begins to show itself in early growth, usually soon in February. At 
that time turn the frames round full to the south, take out as much of 
the old soil from the pots as you can without disturbing the roots, and 
replace it with a top-dressing of the same compost as that used for 
potting, or if you please a little richer by the addition of a little well- 
rotted manure, provided it has also been exposed to the frost of the 
preceding season. If manure, either solid or liquid, is ever given, this 
and the succeeding two months are the time for its being done. Liquid 
manure is the best, and it should he one of these three kinds: either a 
peck of sheep droppings to 60 gallons of soft water; or a solution of 
superphosphate of lime ; in either case the clear liquor only to be used, 
and that very weak, and not oftener than once a week or once in four 
days at the utmost; or a solution of saltpetre, an ounce to a gallon of 
water. And in watering be very careful, even with pure water, to 
avoid wetting the leaves. I use a watering pot made on purpose. 
When the trusses are getting forward they must have all the air but 
no wind, and above all no north or east wind ; for which purpose calico 
wings, to cover the sides of the open frames are of prime necessity ; for 
the frames must be opened, though no rain must be admitted, a single 
drop of which would disfigure a blossom, and spoil the labour of a year. 
U'he cold east wind would sere the green edge with yellow; so would 
now a single degree of frost, which must therefore be carefully excluded 
by much more covering at night than is necessary in the depth of 
winter. At this time any offset that has any portion at all of stem, though 
without any root, may be taken off with the certainty of its growing. 
They now want watering three times a week. 
Wlieii the trusses begin to separate their pips thin out those that are 
too full with a fine pointed scissors, and press the rest separate; they 
wdll need no other training. The ITmgleader family, and those inclined 
to cup, will require the full power of the sun, under a handglass sup¬ 
ported on bricks at the corners, to give air, in order to flatten. At this 
time, too, when the bloom begins to show, that pest greenfly will make 
its appearance, and must be kept under with a camel’s-hair pencil. 
As soon as the bloom is over in May a vigorous leaf growth takes 
place, during which it is customary to place the plants out of doors, 
under a north wall, or hedge, sheltering them merely from sun and 
