60 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL* 
flowering, and therefore an eastern aspect is then the proper situa¬ 
tion for them; but when the flowers approach maturity, the hot 
sun, come in what direction its rays may, is always injurious ; and 
for this reason a north aspect is always the best. Some attention 
is also required in the early part of the flowering season—this 
answering to that during which, in its native locality, the 
plant has the protection of the snow. During this period, a 
common frame is not enough for the security of the finer sorts, 
and they must have the protection of more than one mat over the 
glass, in order to make them perfectly safe. At the same time 
they must never be without an abundant supply of air ; and if the 
temperature rises considerably above the freezing point, this supply 
of air must be abundant, otherwise the stems will be drawn up 
weakly and feeble, and the whole plants will have a sickly appear¬ 
ance. There is a good deal of difficulty— at least of nicety — 
attending this spring management; and according to it, the flower¬ 
ing will be superior or the reverse. It is, however, an operation 
of so much nicety, that no written directions can include the 
whole of it; and therefore much must be left to the observation, 
taste, and discriminating power of the cultivator. Hence, though 
there is only one leading variety of the Auricula, and though that 
variety is a hardy plant, capable at least of enduring the severest 
climate of any part of Britain, yet its successful culture, and the 
keeping up of the choicer varieties, require more attention than 
plants of the most delicate tropical character. 
It can at no season get too much air ; but the waterings should 
be gentle at all seasons, and very little water is required after the 
time of flowering, except in the case of offsets, seedlings, and 
transplanted flowers; and even to these the waterings should be 
gentle and moderate. In their native localities, the plants have 
very little water, from the time at which the flowering is over, to 
that at which the snow falls and covers them with a protecting 
mantle till the spring ; and we must imitate those circumstances, 
in so far as they can be imitated with our different climate and 
an artificial treatment. Especial care should be taken that the 
plants are never chilled by watering, which is most likely to be 
the case in their natural season of repose. 
There are many other circumstances connected with these 
lovely plants, which are worthy of attention ; but we must defer 
these to another opportunity, if such shall occur. Conductor. 
