Florists' Flowers.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 7

Florists' Flowers.

The name is a common one, often used but not easily defined. " What is a florist's flower, and what is not ?" is a question often asked, and, like a great many other questions, no direct and decided answer can be given. To some growers acertain plant may be in the list, to others it is discarded. We do not propose to discuss the question here, as it is of little value ; sufficient for us if we grow the finest plants in the best style.

A great favourite, and deservedly so, is the auricula. It is a modest flower, but nevertheless very attractive. Not having the fragrance of the rose or thb brilliancy of the camellia, it has

fi& attraction peculiarly its own*.- CloseJy allied to thU Vfe& modest tipp'd flowe r of which Bum* Wrote so exquisitely, it has itffi variations of colour, tfnd its thriftiness of habit* which make it a general favourite. The " dusty miller " was an old familiar name for the auricula arising from the peculiar pollen or dust, which tisrually besprinkles it, and as it is heid in high estimation as a spring flower, a few remarks as to its culture may be appreciated. On this pbint several notes have already been: given, out more elaborate ones may not be ©afe of place no-}?/ For its proper growth a rich sweet soil is necessary. Not too rich, or over loaded with manure of any description ; just a soil carefully prepared, enriched with a little ammonia, and having a fvee, good drainages. The plant must be kept clean, and it likes a, good supply of pure, soft water. It is subjecfe to the attack of green flies, which must b& carefully prevented or removed, and care must, be exercised in doing so. A soft brush is the best means of effecting this, as it requires farmore time and repeated applications to do so by washing. As before indicated, the roots should be earthed up, the. tendency of the plant being" to rise out of ihe ground. This fact alone sho\Vs the necessity of watering in dry-weather. The various colours displayed by the auricula* its Hits edgings and lacings, together with its grand trustee*, make it indeed one of our best flowers.

Hitherto in Dunedin the cultivation of the auricula has not been much attended to, excepis by a few old admirers, but the time will soon come Vdien its merits will demand and receive from the H'oTticultural Society a due recognition, and a show be appointed when this flower will take, not only a prominent, but a leading part. Tastes in flowers differ ; for our own part we prefer the growing of the anricula to that of the pansy. This remark is not made in any degree to disparage the latter; on the contrary, the more the variety and the time of flowering the more will be the interest excited.