20 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
In the second section, 1,500 Chinese primroses are the 
predominating feature, occupying the entire middle stages. 
The collection includes Primula obconica, which is grown 
very extensively commercially, the color varying from 
white and pink to faint shades of light blue. The pubes- 
cent foliage is, with some persons, poisonous to the skin, 
producing an effect similar to the poison ivy, only in a 
milder form. Primula malachioides, the baby lavender- 
flowered primrose, is displayed in quantity for the first time 
in St. Louis. - Its small flowers are arranged in whorls similar 
to the yellow Primula kewensis, but it is much more prolific, 
as many as half a dozen whorls of flowers being borne on 
each of the numerous spikes. A good selection of the varieties 
of Primula sinensis, the habit of which is like P. obconica, 
are included in the collection. Exhibited on the side stages 
are 500 specimens of the alpine violet (Cyclamen persicum 
hybridum) in various shades. These plants were raised from © 
seeds planted in September, 1911. After germination the 
seedlings form a corm, or bulb, with a small heart-shaped leaf 
attached. This growth gradually increases throughout the 
year, finally producing flowers. The west end of the green- 
house is occupied by the hybrid begonias, Begonia Cincin- 
nati, with its masses of rose-pink flowers, Begonia Erfordii, 
with white, pink and red flowers; calla lilies (Richardia afri- 
cana), and the leadwort (Plumbago rosea superba), with tall 
spikes of scarlet flowers. 
Exotic Houses. The transfer of the flowering plants to 
the new conservatories has partially relieved the crowded 
condition of the plants in the old houses, thus allowing part — 
of the masses of economic plants to be segregated into their » 
respective groups. Entering the old range at house No. 12, 
the collection of guavas are readily seen, including the lemon 
guava (Psidiwm Guajava), Brazil guava (Psidiwm Araca), 
mountain guava (Psidiwm montanum), pear guava 
(Psidium pyriferum), Chinese guava (Psidium chinensis). 
House 11 includes the tropical fruits and condiments. 
Some of the interesting plants to be found here are the alli- 
tor pear (Persia gratissima), mango (Mangifera indica), 
oquat (Eriobotrya japonica), Mexican apple (Casimiroa 
edulis), sapodilla plum (Achras Sapota), date plum 
(Diospyrus montana), marmalade plum (Lucwma mamosa), 
desert lemon (Atalantia trimera) and Tasmania currant 
(Coprosma Baueri). The condiments include the cocoa 
(Theobroma Cacao), coffee (Coffea arabica), the largest 
specimen now bearing large red coffee beans, Bengal coffee 
