i873-] FLORIST FLOWERS. 555 



•weight. Heckfield Hybrid is sometimes ratlier shy to show fruit 

 with us, but a good ^lelon. Incomparable, Lord Napier, and !Malvern 

 Hall are good, but Scarlet Gem is a gem indeed. Colston Basset is 

 a good Melon in every respect. Munroe's little Heath we have grown, — 

 the flavour was considered good: we cut fruit which weighed 8 to 9 lb. 



A Foreman. 



FLORIST FLOWERS. 



THE POLYANTHUS (PRIMULA VULGARIS, VARIETY POLYANTHUS). 



The Polyanthus, though not clothed in the dazzling vestment of the 

 Hyacinth or the Tulip, is nevertheless worthy of a quiet-sounding 

 note of praise. Has it not been the inseparable associate of both for 

 ages ; sharing in just proportion their popularity (as has been demon- 

 strated by the wide extent of its cultivation), as well as the admira- 

 tion harmoniously awarded those favourite flowers ? The Polyanthus 

 in olden times was chiefly cultivated as a border plant, separately, 

 and in beds, as also in pots under glass, for exhibition and competition 

 purposes. In addition to these different modes, it is found that it is 

 equally suitable for the embellishment of the conservatory in early 

 spring, when that structure requires all the variety that can be col- 

 lected to make it look gay. And the writer can assure those who 

 have not experienced their effectiveness as such, that they will be 

 surprised at their qualities after a fair trial. 



The subject of our remarks, as argued by some of the best of authori- 

 ties, is only a variety or modification, in form and colours, of the weU- 

 known wild Primrose (Primula vulgaris), which is a native of most 

 countries of Europe, usually found growing in woods and sheltered lanes, 

 particularly where the soil is clayey and moist. Besides the Polyan- 

 thus, it has been asserted that the entire family Primula, which in- 

 cludes Auricula, Cowslip, and Oxlip, have all originated from the 

 same parentage, and that the great diversity in form and feature shown 

 in the varieties is due to cultivation. 



The common Primrose in its wild state is only, or with rare 

 exceptions otherwise, furnished with "peduncles," — namely, those 

 delicate footstalks found each supporting a single corolla ; but the re- 

 sult of cultivation has proved that, in addition to those peduncles, a 

 short *' scape " is attached, concealed deeply amongst the leaves ; there- 

 fore it can easily be conceived how by the elongation of this " scape," 

 or main stem, on the summit of which aU the peduncles or flower- 

 supports are clustered, the inflorescence of the Polyanthus and others 

 assumes the umbel form, instead of retaining the original character of 

 the Primrose. 



