1885.] THE EOCK GARDEN. 459 



Polyanthus is a hj^brid from P. Tulrjaris, and has nothuig whatever 

 to do with the true P. datior. 



P. scotica, or native Primula, which grows abundantly in Orkney 

 and round the coast of Caithness and Sutherland, is very apt to be 

 lost in winter, as it is not a very deep rooter, and is during frost 

 apt to be thrown out of the groimd; thus, if not noticed and replanted, 

 it soon dies. It is, however, easily raised from seed, which should 

 be sown at once when collected, as the j)lants so raised are always 

 more vigorous than the old plants. Of P. farinosa, which is very 

 abundant all over the limestone country in Durham and Yorkshire, 

 and also near West Linton on the Pentlands, there are a number of 

 different coloured varieties, from pure white to the richest rose 

 colour; and a plant was sent me from the Dolomite country, in 

 the Tyrol, with striped flowers. P. cmricidata is not quite hardy, 

 and it will be necessary to keep a duplicate or two in a cold frame 

 during the winter ; it also comes very freely from seed. In sowing 

 seed of all Primulas it is better to do so at the time the seed is 

 gathered, as it then springs much quicker; if kept over till the 

 spring, it will sometimes lie for a j'ear, or perhaps two years, before 

 starting. 



The Indian primroses of the section of dcnticulata are very free 

 growers, but imfortunately flower so early in the spring that the 

 flowers are generally spoilt with the frost. A good plan is to plant 

 them out in a cold frame, and protect them with a light when they 

 begin to show flower ; and when in full flower they are really a 

 sight to be seen. P. cashmeriana is not quite so early to flower as 

 dcnticulata, alba, and imrpurca, and may be left with less risk out- 

 side. P. rosea is perhaps the finest introduction that we have had 

 among the Primulace^ for a long time, the colour of the flower is of 

 the richest rose, and the plant itself perfectly hardy ; it is a free 

 grower and free flowerer. 



P. Mouroi is a plant of a perfectly difterent type ; it has spoon- 

 shaped leaves and flower stems about a foot high, with a bunch of 

 beautiful white flowers ; it dies quite down in winter, but never 

 fails to come again in spring, as it is very hardy, and will grow 

 anywhere in light soil ; it is a ver}^ free flowerer, and should be in 

 every garden. 



P. ja'joonica is a plant that was introduced several years ago with 

 a great character ; it is a most useful ])lant, but does not come up to 

 the original drawings and descriptions, from which we expected a 

 plant that would have from three to five whorls of flowers aU out at 

 the same time. But this is not the case, as the lower whorls die 

 off before the upper ones are expanded ; it varies from crimson to 

 white, and is often red and white striped on the same flower. P. 



