102 ON THE DOUBLE FLOWERING PRIMROSE. 



spring and summer months, which will prevent heavy rains from 

 dashing the soil about the blooms, which, if not prevented, would 

 spoil them, and will also retain a great deal of moisture in the soil. 

 A watering of manure water in dry weather during spring and summer 

 would benefit them a great deal, and they would amply repay for the 

 extra labour bestowed. 



ARTICLE IV. 



ON THE DOUBLE-FLOWERING PRIMROSE. 



BY ISABELLA C. 



There is a sentiment in flowers; there are flowers we cannot look 

 upon, or even bear named, without recurring to something that has 

 an interest in our hearts ; such is the case with the Primrose of our 

 youth, the Cowslip, the Daisy, the May Flower, &c. The Primrose 

 has very extensively occupied the poet's genius, and they have paid 

 extra honours to this sweet spring flower, which unites in itself such 

 delicacy of form, colour, and fragrance. Amongst the many I select 

 the following specimens : — 



" What next ? a tuft of evening primroses, 



O'er which the mind may hover till it dozes ; 



O'er which it well might take a pleasant sleep, 



But that 'tis ever startled by the leap 



Of buds into ripe flowers." 



Keats. 



" The Primrose, when with sixe leaves gotten grace, 

 Maids as a true-love in their bosoms place." 



W. Browne. 



The following lines give a pleasant picture of a kind of idly-musing 

 tranquillity : — 



" As some wayfaring man passing a wood 

 Goes jogging on, and in his minde not hath, 

 But how the Primrose finely strew the path, 

 Or sweetest violets lay downe their heads, 

 At some tree's roote on mossie featherbeds." 



W. Browne. 



