52 the florist’s journal. 
But these rich substances are kept until all fermentation is over, 
and they are reduced to a dry powder, which is also the case with 
night soil, where that is employed. The length of time that these 
naturally rich manures are kept, and the thorough drying, probably 
reduce them to so mild a state, that they have not more stimu¬ 
lating effect than the leaf-mould ; and therefore, how different 
soever the composts may be in name, they are all pretty nearly alike 
in real composition and effect upon the plants ; and as was said of 
one of them, it may be said of all, that they bear a very great 
resemblance to the natural soil. This is a fact worthy of atten¬ 
tion, when we take into consideration the many varieties of 
Auriculas, especially in colour ; for it shows that the greatest 
possible change of colour may be brought about by a very slight 
alteration of the compost or soil in which the plant is grown. 
Difference of colour is, however, the main change produced by 
cultivation in the Auricula ; for there is but little alteration in 
shape ; and the five^stamens in the eye of the flower have never 
been changed into petals, at least, in any well authenticated 
instance that has come under our notice. But if a change of form, 
such as turning the stamens wholly or partially into petals, or a 
throwing of the accumulated substance upon any part where it is 
not found at all naturally, or if found, not in great abundance, the 
result is generally brought about by the operation of a richer 
manure, and one in a state of at least partial decomposition. The 
colour may change along with these greater changes of the plant; 
but they may also occur without that being the case. The Dahlia 
affords an instance, in which both the form and the colour are 
greatly changed by artificial treatment, although that treatment is 
not very rich ; and the potatoe and common turnip are two 
instances out of many, in which, by the application of a richer 
manure, the form is changed without any great change of colour ; 
and in both of these last named instances, the change is produced, 
not in the flower, but in other parts, namely, the tubers of the 
potatoe and the bulb of the turnip. 
This shows us that if w T e wish to improve the flower of any 
plant, as for instance of the Auricula, the plan we must pursue 
ought to be something different from the operation of a richer soil, 
and more stimulating manures. The instances which we have 
given—and they are but one or two out of very many—furnish 
evidence that more stimulating soil and manure, though they act 
