THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



important items in pine-culture : but I would warn him not to accept 

 these statements as a guide to any other locality. 



As the locality in which this is written I consider a favourable 

 one for pine-growing, as most of the materials are to be got close at 

 hand, consequently the cost of carriage is greatly reduced, my 

 correspondent will see the force of what I say if he happens to be so 

 unfortunate as I once was in having to fetch tan eight miles by 

 ■waggon loads. Then again, the boiler we have in use is much too 

 large, and is capable of doing more than double the work we have 

 for it to do ; hence the cause of so large an item for fuel. I need 

 scarcely add that pines may be grown on a much smaller scale, and 

 in that case the expenses would be proportionately reduced. Before 

 I leave this part of the subject, I would point out one more item to 

 my correspondent's notice — it is that in engaging the services of a man 

 who has a practical knowledge of pines, he must expect to remunerate 

 him accordiugl}'. 



I have never grown them for commercial purposes, and have 

 therefore no means of knowing their market value, but think from 

 what I have here stated (and I have confined myself to facts) that 

 my correspondent will be able to draw his own conclusions, and act 

 accordingly^ Suppose we reckon the cost of pines home grown to 

 be £1 each, they will be worth more than that in the market. 



C. C. 



THE CULTURE OE PRIMULA SINEJSSIS. 



BY JOHN F. il'ELROY, 



Head Gardener at Moray Lodge, Campden Hill. 



EEW days ago I had a friendly visit from two gardeners 

 whose names are familiar to the horticultural public, 

 they being amongst the number of the principal ex- 

 hibitors at our leading metropolitan exhibitions. In 

 the course of their survey of the collection of plants 

 under my charge, the Primulas elicited their admiration. I^ot that 

 they are extraordinary large plants, for the majority of them are 

 growing in 48 size or five-inch pots ; but the plants are thrifty and 

 promise plenty of bloom, many of them being already in flower. But 

 apart from that, the superior strain of the flower combined with their 

 treatment formed the themes of their inquiries, and here I consider 

 it would only be justice for me to say that the seeds were purchased 

 of Mr. B. S. Williams, of Victoria Nursery, HoUoway, who has for 

 some years past been famous for his very excellent selection of this 

 popular greenhouse flower. 



As the general culture of this plant has been frequently treated 

 on, and that elaborately, by competent writers, both in these pages 

 and elsewhere, it may appear almost unnecessary for me to say any- 

 thing respecting it ; "but as two opinions seldom harmonize in regard 

 to the merits of things generally, it may occur that there is some- 



