THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



PRIMULA. 767 



being in the thickness and hue of the 

 powdery matter. In fact, the terms 

 " green-edged," "grey-edged," and " white- 

 edged " are simply used to indicate sHght 

 differences between flowers having an 

 abnormal development of the petals into 

 leafy substance. It is a curious fact that 

 between the white and the grey the line 

 of demarcation is imaginary, for both 

 classes occasionally produce green-edged 

 flowers. The " selfs " are really distinct, 

 since the outer portion of the corolla is of 

 the ordinary texture, though a ring of 

 powdery matter surrounds the eye. 



The classification of such slight differ- 

 ences merely tends to throw obstacles in 

 the way of the general growth and enjoy- 

 ment of the flower in gardens. Let the 

 florists maintain these fine distinctions ; 

 those who merely want to embellish their 

 gardens with the prettier varieties need 

 not trouble themselves with named sorts 

 at all. It should be borne in mind that 

 the florists' kinds are the most delicate 

 and difficult to cultivate. The curious 

 developments of powdery matter, green 

 margins, &c., tend to enfeeble the plant. 

 They are, in fact, variations that in Nature 

 would have little or no chance of surviv- 

 ing in the struggle for life. The general 

 grower will do well to select the free 

 sorts — alpines, and good varieties of the 

 common border kinds. The special 

 merit of these is that they may be grown 

 in the open air on the rock-garden and 

 in borders, while the florists' kinds must 

 be grown in frames. 



Their culture is very simple, light vege- 

 table soil and plenty of moisture during 

 the growing season being the essentials. 

 In many districts the moisture of our 

 climate suits the Auricula to perfection, 

 and great tufts of it are grown in gardens 

 without any attention. In others it must 

 be protected against excessive drought 

 by stones placed round it, and cocoa- 

 fibre and leaf-mould are also useful as a 

 surfacing. However, as none but good 

 varieties of the alpine section deserve 

 this trouble, we would prefer, wher- 

 ever practicable, that they should be 

 placed in the rock-garden on spots 

 where they would have some shelter and 

 could root freely into rich light soil. 

 They would cause no trouble beyond 

 taking up, dividing, and replanting. This 

 should be done every second or third 

 year, or as often as they become too 

 crowded or lanky. The very common 

 kinds may be planted as edgings or in 

 beds in the spring garden, but wherever 

 the plant is free, naturally improved 

 varieties should be substituted for the 



common old border kind. There are a 

 few good kinds already in the trade, most 

 of them in shades of yellow, such as 

 Alexandra, Celtic King — a very good one, 

 — Erin's Queen, Miss Davis, and Yellow 

 Queen— also known as Golden Gem. 

 Purple Bedder is crimson-purple ; Chame- 

 leon with yellow, brown, and striped 

 flowers on the same plant ; and Sulph- 

 urea with pale fragrant trusses. 



Auriculas are easily propagated by 

 division in spring or autumn, but best in 

 early autumn. They are also easily 

 raised from seed. Seed ripens in July, 

 and is usually sown in a gentle heat in 

 the following January. It should be sown 

 thinly in pans. The plants need not be 

 disturbed till they are big enough to 

 prick into fine rich light soil on a half- 

 shady border. It is most desirable to 

 raise seedlings, as in this way many 

 beautiful varieties may be obtained, and 

 if a desirable variety is noticed, it should 

 be marked, placed under the best con- 

 ditions, and propagated by division as 

 fast as possible. 



As to the florists' varieties, diffuse 

 instructions have been given, but the 

 essential points may be summed up thus. 

 They require protection in frames or pits 

 during winter and spring, and may be 

 placed in the open air in summer and 

 early autumn. While inside they should 

 be very near the glass, the lights being 

 left off in mild weather, and air being 

 given at all times day and night except 

 in severe frosts. The pit or frame may 

 be the usual one for the winter months, 

 but as the plants show flower they 

 ought to be removed to one with a 

 northern exposure, so as to prolong the 

 bloom. In such a place, with abundance 

 of air, they are not without beauty 

 through April and the first weeks of 

 May. After flowering they should 

 be potted in May, and kept shaded 

 till they have recovered. The potting 

 usually consists of carefully shaking away 

 all the soil and putting the plant in fresh 

 compost ; and the practice is a good one, 

 for this plant and its wild allies put forth 

 young roots higher up the stem every 

 year, and the encouragement of these 

 young roots is sure to have a good result. 

 The pots generally used (the 4-in. size) 

 are quite large enough for this annual 

 potting, one sucker of a kind being 

 placed in the centre of each pot. The 

 wisdom of potting every plant in this 

 way is doubtful, and it is better to select 

 those that have sound roots, and are set 

 firmly and low in the earth, and while 

 disturbing the ball but little to give them 



