274 ON THE GENUS PRIMULA. 



about six inches deep, and a foot all round, with old tan, and the 

 result was, I dug them all up as sound as possible about a fortnight 

 since (early in March), and putting them into the hot-bed they made 

 their shoots in five or six days. The only thing requisite beside the 

 Ian is, to tie the stems of the plants up to sticks, cutting off one of 

 the side shoots close, as, if the stems are either cut offor broken down, 

 the water lodges, and the roots are sure to perish. 



Having likewise for the last three winters saved many tender her- 

 baceous plants by a very simple contrivance, I will take this oppor- 

 tunity of mentioning it. I have had made at the potteries a quantity 

 of covers the shape of a sugar-loaf, one foot high, and one broad at 

 the bottom, with a knob on the top by way of a handle. About an 

 inch from the bottom are cut four holes half an inch wide all round 

 the cover, only leaving an inch and a half between each hole. These 

 1 put over any plant after it had been cut down, and leave them on 

 three weeks at a time, or longer sometimes, as they give sufficient air 

 and light, but if left too long in fine weather they will of course force 

 the plant. The great advantage I find in them is keeping off the 

 heavy rains of November and February, as well as the severe frosts. 

 These covers are likewise very useful in transplanting plants in the 

 sun, or in raising seeds in the borders in dry weather. They stow in 

 a small compass, being made to fit one on the other. I have had 

 several hundreds made, and the cost is only half-a-crown for twelve, 

 two-pence halfpenny each. I can strongly recommend the trial of 

 them to any one. 



March 18th, 1841. 



ARTICLE VI. 



ON THE GENUS PRIMULA. 



BY N. H. 



This genus derives its name from the Latin word primus (first), as it 

 is one of the earliest flowering plants that have been introduced into 

 the English gardens, having been introduced here by the Dutch ; it 

 consists of low herbaceous, fibrous-rooted, hardy perennial, Alpine 

 plants, valuable to florists on account of its flowering early in the 

 spring, and being so easily cultivated, and being of so hardy a nature. 



