velvety mulberry-purple ; the limb flat and even; the “ paste,” 
or white mealy ring around the eye, even, pure, dense, and 
in due proportion to the other parts of the flower. Altogether 
there is no doubt it is a variety of first-rate excellence. 
Auriculas, though exceedingly ornamental plants, are not 
nearly so much grown as they might be by the lovers of gar¬ 
dening. They are not difficult to manage, even so as to satisfy 
the longings of the pure florist; but for the amateur, to whom 
our cultural hints are specially addressed, they are amongst the 
most manageable of hardy plants, really requiring not much 
beyond a cold frame, pure air, and routine cultivation. The 
following sketch may serve to illustrate this. In spring, after 
blooming, the plants need shelter from heavy rain and hot sun; 
but free air in a shady place, and genial showers, or, in default 
of them, liberal but not excessive waterings are their delight 
About August they should be repotted, giving them larger pots, 
or merely renewing the soil, according to the number and condi¬ 
tion of the roots. At this stage, and through the autumn and 
winter, they must have less water supplied, and for a short time 
after potting must be kept closed, or nearly so. In winter they 
require abundant ventilation in all fine weather, and shelter 
from severe frosts. In spring, after their growth is fairly re¬ 
newed, they require again more liberal waterings; whilst a 
certain extra amount of watchfulness to secure shelter against 
cold winds and draught is necessary during the progress of the 
bloom. An airy north aspect is proper for them at all times. 
They grow in a soil of good mellow loam, enriched by the ad¬ 
dition of thoroughly decayed cowdung in the proportion of one 
to two. The choicer varieties grown by florists receive some¬ 
what greater attention as regards the minute details of their 
management. 
These plants are increased by seeds to obtain new varieties, 
and by offshoots, which are sparingly produced, when the ob¬ 
ject is to perpetuate any favourite old kind. 
