104 ON THE DOUBLE-FLOWERING PRIMROSE. 



In another poem, after describing the village children rambling 

 over the fields in search of flowers, he continues : — 



" I did the same in April time, 

 And spoilt the daisy's earliest prime ; 

 Robbed every Primrose-root I met, 

 And oft-times got the root to set; 

 And joyful home each nosegay bore, 

 And felt — as I shall feel no more." 



This very lovely little flower ranks high in my estimation, and 

 the following kinds form my present collection: — Double crimson, 

 white, purple, straw colour, rose, deep yellow, pink, buff, lilac, and 

 red. Each being very double and most distinct. I am fully assured 

 if the entire of them were seen when in bloom in my flower garden, 

 as presented to view from the breakfast-room, in a sunny spring 

 morning, they would not fail to please every lover of flowers. 



I grow them in pots, as it admits of affording them more readily 

 the necessary protection in winter, and because the delicacy and 

 beauty of their flowers renders it desirable that they may be placed 

 in a position where these qualities may be duly appreciated and ad- 

 mired. I plunge the pots, covering them with soil, in the various 

 positions in my flower-beds, so as to give the finest effect in contrast 

 of colours. The most particular points in their culture are, first, the 

 soil in which they are planted ; and secondly, the situation afforded 

 them during the summer ; the soil in which they appear to thrive 

 most permanently should be composed of equal parts of sandy turfy 

 loam, and well reduced leaf mould, to which a portion of sharp sand 

 may advantageously be added. This should be prepared some time 

 before it is required, and frequently turned over and well blended 

 together : the situation which they absolutely require in summer is a 

 cool border, where they may receive the morning sun before it becomes 

 powerful, but be protected from it during the hottest part of the day ; 

 in such a situation they should be planted out in spring, as soon as 

 they have done flowering, in the prepared soil already recommended. 

 Water during dry weather should be copiously administered in the 

 evening, or after the heat of the sun is somewhat declined, continuing 

 it as circumstances may appear desirable, until the summer growth 

 of the plants is evidently matured. About the latter end of September 



