i88i.] NOTES FROM THE PAPERS. 265 



collection of Primroses of numerous shades of colour — all of the 

 common Primrose type. Some of the name kinds are very distinct 

 and showy, but it is probably to the seedlings raised from these that 

 we must look for a cheap and ready supply of these attractive spring- 

 flowers. The various shades of colour comprise pink, rose, maroon, 

 crimson, lilac, purple, violet, &c., with numerous intermediate shades. 

 For planting along with the common wild variety on the grass, to 

 succeed Snowdrops, Crocus, and other early spring flowers, these 

 Primroses are invaluable, and they thrive in any situation. A gentle- 

 man who cultivates them extensively, says, the single varieties are far 

 superior to the double ones, being, as a rule, more vigorous, as well as 

 of a freer-flowering habit. About the end of April, on the margin of 

 a broad lawn in a large garden, we saw a number of the coloured 

 Primroses growing in a semi-wild state, just at the skirts of the trees, 

 and a more attractive sight it would be hard to imagine. The only fault 

 was, they were not in sufiicient quantity. The plants, in order to be 

 effective, want to be scattered broadcast. Seedlings raised during the 

 summer will flower next year. Many of the Polyanthus are also 

 suitable for the same style of garden decoration, and present many 

 shades of colour ; and, if anything, they stand up out of the grass 

 better than the Primroses. As spring bedders, of course the Primrose 

 excels. One of the most striking and efi'ective beds we have ever seen 

 was an oblong bed filled wholly with Primroses of various hues — not 

 an inch of ground being visible, and the whole a sheet of flowers. 

 It was bordered with Box and a gravel walk, which did not add to the 

 effect ; but the same nestling in a grassy corner of the lawn would 

 have been attractive and natural-looking. 



A correspondent writes to us saying, " The exigencies of space and 

 labour compel me occasionally to do things in the cheapest and easiest 

 way ; and as we require to grow many Carnations and Picotees, I have 

 begun to dispense with frames and pots for their protection in winter 

 — the common practice — and instead, to plant them out as soon as 

 they are established in autumn, when they are to flower. I have had 

 many out in this way all the past winter, which has been severe enough 

 in all conscience, and have not lost one. They are now growing very 

 nicely, and look well." Of course the Carnation is one of the hardiest 

 of hardy plants, and in some old-fashioned gardens it is quite a common 

 thing to see old plants of the popular red and scarlet cloves that have 

 survived on the same spot for years. 



[We propagate thousands of Carnations every year, and have found 

 that in our very unfavourable climate, they stand such winters as the 

 three last ones best when left in the beds untouched till spring. It 

 often occurs that one or two beds are left to bloom without transplant- 

 ing the young plants, and the result is such a crop of bloom for dense- 

 ness as cannot be had any other way. — Ed.] 



