COLFONE. 1" 173 
brother corroborated: “But even so; either they have a different inch 
measure’ for Auriculas, ‘or some other method of computation ndt in 
Cocker or Colenso, to make the statement atrue one. But taking away 
all exaggeration, the collection is admirably grown and bloomed ; it has 
its one tault, want of variety ; and forthe encouragement of all growers 
of this lovely spring flower (though some will call it formal), I venture 
to say that by attending to plain commion-sense rules, and by a little 
regular oversight, it will be quite possible for an Auricula grower to 
succeed.» On all ‘sides I-hear praises of the bloom; certainly this has 
not been because the season has been favourable, but because, I fancy, 
people have understood the flower better. I shall hope to say something 
on the Auricula bloom of 1860 next month, and shall be glad if in this 
paper I have done anything to prosper the cultivation of a flower which 
is, 1. hope, coming into greater favour than ever. 
“Deal, May V7. D. 
NOTES ON THE MONTH. 
THE cold of April (during which month we had a ‘frost nearly every 
night) was’extreme.! The Ist of May looked on almost a torpid vege- 
tation ; for, with the exception of a -few’ plants which vegetated early, 
everything was dormant. The pastures and meadows had scarcely put 
on that tinge of bright green indicating growth, but wore a bluish aspect, 
the effect of the drying east wind which for so’ long a time previously 
had/swept.over them, parching the surface of the ground, and giving 
all-kinds of vegetation a stunted starved look. ‘The first fortnight in 
May produced, little: variation. We had the same dry cold days, 
with easterly. winds, and the buds of trees and shrubs seemed to 
hesitate before:committing themselves to such an uncongenial climate. 
About the 12th, however, a salutary change took place; the wind 
veered round to the south-west, and we had almost unremitting rain 
up. tothe, 19th, verifying an old adage in this neighbourhood, that a 
Saturday’s,moon always produces a flood, and surely a flood we had. 
With the’ change of the wind, the temperature increased to summer 
heat, and, the rain falling on ground heated by ‘the dryness of the 
previous ‘month, converted it into: something resembling a hotbed, on 
which vegetation has pushed forth with accelerated rapidity, and the 
meadows and. pastures, which a fortnight since were comparatively 
barren, are now teeming with herbage. The almost sudden burst of 
vegetation has been quite as: remarkable with forest trees, which have 
unfolded themselves with wonderful rapidity under the tropical sky of 
the: last week, and-are now clothed with the richest verdure. The 
Apple orchards are one mass of bloom, varying from the purest white 
to a roseate blush, than which nothing can be more truly beautiful. 
Pears and Cherries are over, but they, too, have been covered with their 
snowy blossoms. We think the wild Cherry of the woods worthy more 
extended planting ;»the last week in April its masses of snow-white 
blossoms were conspicuous at a great distance, and those who are fond 
