468 
EXTRACTS—FLORICULTURE. 
to Mr. Lockhart, who sent the living plant from Trinidad. It produced its large 
spike of flowers in the month of May, ( Bot. Mag.) It is a stove plant, and may 
be cultivated in decayed earth, and propagated by division. The flowers are 
green, marked with purplish brown. 
iride^e. —The Iris Tribe. 
Iris Hungarica, Hungarian Iris. This species is quite hardy, and has lately 
been introduced from Hungary. It produces its dark purple flowers in the months 
of April and May, and is well worthy of a place in any garden. There is no 
difficulty of increasing it by dividing the roots. It will thrive in any good soil, 
either in a pot or in the open border.— Bot. Cab. 
amaryllide^c. —The Narcissus Tribe. 
Alstriemeria aurantiaca, Orange-flowered Alstroemeria. We fear this very 
showy plant is scarcely entitled to attention, in any other light than as a mere 
variation of A. Simsii. Introduced from Chili by Mr. Anderson, the indefatiga¬ 
ble collector, who accompanied Captain King in his voyage of survey in South 
America. It requires the same treatment as A. Simsii, and appears to be quite 
as hardy as that species.— Siv. FI. Gard. 
Culture of the Auricula. —Vegetable economy, as well as animal, are sub¬ 
ject to certain laws of Nature, that cannot be transgressed with impunity, and 
our treatment of plants ought always to be conformable thereto. A plain and 
simple mode of culture, as regards all plants, provided they are found to thrive 
and flower well in the use of it, is always to be preferred, and ought to be pur¬ 
sued, as being the easiest, cheapest, and the best. Strong stimulative manures, 
however beneficial they may be for the time, in producing large flowers, and vivid 
colours, too frequently leave the plants in a state of exhaustion, if not of prema¬ 
ture and gradual decay. Mix together one barrow of rich yellow loam, or fresh- 
dug earth, from some meadow, or pasture land, or common, with the turf well 
rotten; one barrow of leaf mould; one ditto of well decomposed horse or frame 
dung; one ditto of cow dung two years old at least; and one peck of river sand, 
not sea sand. This simple mixture may always be depended upon for keeping 
the plants healthy. To strong plants, intended for exhibition, add to the same 
compost as a stimulant, a barrowfull of well decayed night soil, with the appli¬ 
cation of liquid manure, once or twice before top dressing in February, and twice 
more in March, not oftener. A peck of sheep dung, with the same quantity of 
horse droppings, put into a large tub of water, stirred up frequently, and left to 
ferment a week or two before it is used, may be applied with good effect, aud 
perfect safety. A portion of light sandy peat earth, generally to be found on the 
tops of barren heaths, or moors, though not easily obtained everywhere, may be 
added, as a safe and useful ingredient; particularly for plants kept in low and 
damp situations, where light potting and light compost are found to answer best. 
By way of change, make use of the following composition ;—two barrows of 
Wanstead loam, with the turfy part decayed; one barrow of leaf mould, one 
barrow' of cow dung; one barrow of old frame or horse dung ; half a barrow of 
old night soil; half a barrow of sheep dung; and two pecks of river sand. And 
a top dressing of one quarter loam, and three quarters sheep and cow dung, rotted 
and mixed together in one heap; and manure water as before. 
Winter .—In the three winter months, from the 21s/. of November to the 21s/. 
February, Auriculas do not require much of our care, beyond w-atering them oc¬ 
casionally, plucking off the dead leaves, and covering them with mats, or a little 
