1878.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



359 



fifty plants, and when they blossomed, what a 

 sight I Of the fifty plants, each bore a different 

 colored flower, varying from a deep reddish yel- 

 low to a fine delicate pink. What would have 

 caused the variation ? Were they crossed with 

 Abutilon Thompsoni? And if so, why such a 

 variety ? 



Last year I wrote you of a Cereus grandiflora 

 keeping its flowers expanded in the day time, and 

 asked if it were not due to the low temperature. 

 By mismanagement the same plant was kept too 

 wet last Winter, and its flower buds did not expand 

 until in October. The temperature of the house 

 was about sixty, (we had no fire,) and the flowers 

 remained open until the sun's rays heated the 

 interior, and they closed at ten o'clock, A. M. 



CULTIVATION OF THE CHINESE PRIM- 

 ROSE. 



RY -^[R. EDWIN LONSDALE. 



(Ik-fore the (lerraantown Horticultural Society.) 



Since the introduction of the Chinese Prim- 

 rose, nearly sixty years ago, it has been vastly 

 improved through the patience and perseverance 

 of the florist, gardener and amateur. When it 

 was first introduced, its flowers were not larger 

 than a five cent piece, and generally of a poor 

 shade of lilac in color, but now we have flowers 

 larger than a trade dollar, with the edges ele- 

 gantly fringed, and in color vai-ying from pure 

 white to the most brilliant crimson. Xo matter 

 whether it is seen in the conservatories of the 

 Avealthy or the Avindows of the poor, it is always 

 a source of pleasure, being in the Winter what 

 the Geranium is in Summer-time — everybody's 

 plant. 



It is as a window plant that I wish particularly 

 to direct attention. I knew of a plant that was 

 in the same window three years. Winter and 

 Summer, without re-potting, and it never was 

 without flowers and always wore a healthy green 

 appearance ; the only attention it received, be- 

 sides watering when necessary, was an occasional 

 top-dressing with well decomposed cow manure, 

 reduced to a powder. I mention this to show its 

 adaptability for the purpose for which it is 

 recommended, not as a practice to be followed 

 altogether especially in this climate, where win- 

 dow gardening in Summer is unpopular, because 

 impracticable, and also to show that it succeeds 

 well under ordinary treatment. 



There is no plant so grateful for a little extra 

 attention as the Chinese Primrose. Being a 



plant with fine roots it must have a light soil. I 

 find a good mixture for them to grow in is half 

 leaf mould, or soil from the woods, and the other 

 half rich sandy loam. I do not wish to confuse 

 by going into details, but will simply say let the 

 soil be light, rich and porous. 



It is hai'dly worth while for those indulging in 

 window gardening to trouble themselves with the 

 details of raising plants from seed, for good seed 

 is expensive, and, being delicate, often fails to 

 germinate in the hands of the inexperienced ; 

 but to whoever has a greenhouse or a hot-bed, the 

 raising of their own plants from seed will be 

 found both interesting and instructive. 



For the benefit of those wishing to experiment 

 in this line, I will briefly say, take light soil 

 similar to that which is recommended for the 

 plants to grow in, and filj a six-inch pot to within 

 an inch of the top, or what is perhaps better, a 

 box three or four inches deep and a foot or so 

 square, as a box retains moisture longer than a 

 pot; and this is one of the secrets of raising 

 young plants from seed, for they are apt to 

 perish if subjected to too frequent watering until 

 the little plants have gained some strength. 

 After the soil is pressed down to an even surface 

 give it a thorough watering with a fine sprink- 

 ler, then allow it to drain half an hour or so, 

 when it will be ready for the seed, which should 

 be thinly and evenly sown, taking care to keep 

 it more in the center than at the sides of the 

 box, then press the seed gently into the soil : 

 some cultivators do not cover the seed at all, but 

 I find a slight sprinkling a benefit, as the little 

 roots take to the soil better. If the seed is sown 

 in the Spring, a shelf near the glass at the 

 warmest end of the house is the best place for 

 the box, which should be shaded from the sun 

 by means of a piece of paper occasionally 

 sprinkled with water ; and when the sowing of 

 the seed is deferred until the Summer months a 

 piece of board laid on the box will check evapo- 

 ration, and, as darkness favors root action, it will 

 facilitate germination, and a cool place, say a 

 frame facing the north will be found the best 

 place during the hot weather; as soon as the 

 seed shows signs of germination a little air and 

 light should be admitted by degrees so as to 

 strengthen the plants by favoring leaf develop- 

 ment. 



If the seed has been sown as directed, that is 

 thinly, and the surface of the soil has been stirred 

 occasionally with a sharp-pointed stick, the 

 l)lants may remain in the seed box until they 



