172 ALPINE PLANTS 
stout fleshy stems, after the manner of the auricula. 
These rosettes with stem attached may be cut from 
the main plant as “ offsets,” and if firmly embedded in 
pans of sandy compost, the offsets will root. The chief 
points to observe with offsets are 
perfectly drained rooting medium, 
cautious watering, and an even but 
not too high temperature. 
Many Primulas reproduce them- 
selves fairly truly from seed, whilst 
in some cases all sorts of pleasing 
colour variations are obtainable 
from seedlings. Success is always 
greatest when seed can be sown 
immediately it is ripe, but in the 
event of seed being purchased which 
Auricuta Atpina. (A 1s of the previous season’s growth a 
: Pee ane considerable amount of patience 
needs to be exercised, for very fre- 
quently the outer shell of Primula seed becomes so hard- 
ened that germination is delayed for months or even a 
year. It is disastrous to try to hasten matters by sub- 
jecting the seeds to artificial heat, and it is also unwise to 
allow the soil to be alternately very dry and very wet. 
A little powdered charcoal dusted over the surface of 
the soil will maintain sweetness, and check development 
of moss which, if left to grow, would smother the minute 
young seedlings. 
Always endeavour to prick out seedling Primulas while 
very small; although this is a somewhat tedious task, 

