DECEMBER. 299 



PRIMULA ALTAICA AND PLUMBAGO LAUPENT.E. 



I HAVE several plants of the Primula flowering freely in the beds, 

 and a very pretty object it is ; but as one or two plants have no 

 blooms at all upon them, the former may be an accidental thing. If, 

 however, it should prove that it is its habit to flower at this late 

 season, it will prove a valuable addition to our border-plants, for 

 it has a bright, cheerful appearance, particularly in the sunshine. 

 Its blossoms are also very pretty when mixed with Violets and 

 Primula sinensis in shallow vases. 



Plumbago Larpentae, which so many of us have thrown away, is 

 now, I hear, in course of restoration to many gardens, in consequence 

 of its having proved valuable for many purposes. Its charming 

 blue colour, so much wanted in our flower-borders and beds, and 

 upon rock-work, makes it very desirable to try it under every cir- 

 cumstance, and particularly as it has proved quite hardy in several 

 instances which have come to my knowledge. 



It would be well, if by some arrangement, a correct judgment 

 could be formed of the real character of new plants like this Plum- 

 bago. The manner in which it was spoken of in more than one 

 publication, led every one to form very exaggerated notions of its 

 beauty, and proportionate disappointment was the consequence. 



James Border. 



[We have one or two plants of Primula Altaica in bloom, and 

 some without a blossom. Beside the former, a Polyanthus is in 

 flower, and that is, of course, quite out of season. We think, how- 

 ever, that the former is a pretty thing ; and though many people 

 speak of it as very common, we have not met with it except when 

 received from Mr. Turner's stock. It is, however, a plant that 

 received more praise than it deserved before it was sent out, and 

 that excess of praise has injured it in public estimation. We 

 recommend our readers to obtain it ; they will find it a very nice 

 addition to their greenhouse flowers at this time. Mr. Turner did 

 wisely to send it out, as he did, at a very moderate price. — Editor.] 



RAISING SEEDLING ROSES. 



I HAVE been for some years an enthusiastic seedHng raiser. In my 

 case I find the old proverb " Hope deferred maketh the heart sick" 

 quite set at nought ; for year after year my pleasurable anticipations 

 seem increased by failure, instead of my heart growing sick with dis- 

 appointment. In my early career as a Florist I often wished to 

 raise Seedling Roses, but was deterred by the cry, " Two years in 

 coming up." How that absurd though generally received notion 

 got abroad, seems now to astonish me ; however, I then believed it, 

 but at last determined to wait and hope. 



I had some very old leaf-mould, which I mixed witli old turf and 



