28 
MANAGEMENT OF THE AURICULA IN WINTER. 
stance of their occupants growing somewhat more early. They, 
and indeed all others, should be looked over carefully every day, 
for in all probability the young shoots will be found pushing 
through the soil, and if not protected, will be liable to fall 
victims to gangrene; the effect of the frosts we must reasonably 
expect to experience, and that shortly. I am not an advocate 
for the application of mats more than can be helped, and seldom 
use them until the blooms are rising from the heart of the foliage, 
and then am very careful to remove them as quickly as possible ; 
so that in the present case I should recommend as far better that 
the protruding points be covered with little hillocks of dry sand; 
the fine white kind called silver sand is to be preferred, as 
it is free from iron; the corrosive qualities of that commonly 
contained in the yellow stuff of ordinary use is but too well 
known. Let the former be quite dry when applied, and laid on in 
quantities of about half a pint to each bulb, and they will be 
safe. 
Florista. 
MANAGEMENT OF THE AURICULA IN WINTER, 
There cannot be anvthing more erroneous in the manage- 
ment of these plants than to allow them to become so very dry, 
as is the usual practice at this part of the year ; let them receive a 
full supply whenever they appear to require it, rather than by fol¬ 
lowing the “little and often” svstem, occasion vourself more 
trouble, and inflict an injury on the plants. I am also equally 
anxious to preserve them unscathed by frost, as its effects are 
certain to be seen in the crumpled petals at the blooming sea¬ 
son ; this is a result so positive that it is really wonderful the sub¬ 
ject has not been more fully insisted on. To obtain flat, freely 
expanded flowers, is the florist’s principal aim and pride, for with¬ 
out attaining this point all his previous labour is void, and his 
blooms worthless. Numerous are the expedients adopted when 
the “ pips ” are opening, some of them, perhaps, not very credi¬ 
table to the ingenuity of the operators, and others exceedingly 
troublesome; while the most important preventive of curling 
has been neglected until it is too late to hope for any benefit to 
arise from its influence. From the beginning of January, Auri- 
