18 PRIMULA STTTAimi. 



not only protects tlicni at tliat season from those variations of temperature to which 

 plants of less elevated regions are often liable, but what is equally, if not more 

 important to observe, preserves them by its permanently congealed condition (often 

 for several months together) from the excess of humidity so common in this climate 

 during the winter months. In the summer season this condition is completely 

 reversed : the melting of the snow supplies them with abundant moisture (which, 

 however, on account of the generally small depth of the soil, rarely becomes 

 stagnant), and their roots are thus kept cool during the whole of the growing 

 season. We do not wish it to be understood that all Alpine plants are subject to 

 these conditions ; they apply chiefly to the genus now under consideration, and to 

 some others of the same Order. 



From this it will be seen, tbat the chief essentials to success in the cultivation of 

 Alpine Primulas and other plants of this class are, comparative dryness in winter, 

 with some protection from sudden changes of temperature, especially in early 

 spring, and a cool, shaded, moist situation in summer. This last condition can, 

 without much difficulty, be secured ; but the character of our winters is such that 

 the first is hardly attainable without some covering. For this reason, they arc 

 generally grown in pots, and preserved in a cold frame through the winter months, 

 but a cool window is quite sufficient ; and if they are allowed abundance of air, 

 they will succeed admirably, provided afire is not kept in the apartment. 



It is a singular anomaly in the character of this interesting family, that although 

 'children of the free air,' they yet endure a smoky atmosphere better than most plants; 

 and in large towns they will not only exist, but even thrive for years, if treated as 

 we have suggested. The pots must bo well drained, and should be rather wide, 

 than deep, for the roots of Alpines extend but a short distance below the surface. 

 A mixture of loam and peat, or thoroughly decayed leaf-mould, suits the greater 

 number. 



Many of the species require, however, no more care than the Polyanthus ; and of 

 this number is the P. Stuartii, although it may, if thought desirable, be treated as 

 a pot plant, like the dwarfer and more delicate of the species. 



Since the introduction of the P. Stuartii, several interesting additions have been 

 made to this genus, one of which, the P. sikkimensis, is perhaps even more desirable 

 than the plant we have figured. This, too, is a Himalayan species, first detected by 

 Dr. Hooker, and styled by him ' the pride of all the Alpine Primulas.' It inhabits 

 wet and boggy places at elevations of from 12 to 17,000 feet at Lacken and Lachlong 

 in the Sikkim-Himalaya, covering acres with a yellow carpet in May and June. 

 The flower stem rises from one to two feet high, bearing an umbel of seven or eight 

 large yellow flowers. It is, like the P. Stuartii, herbaceous, dying down to the 

 ground in winter, and re- appearing in spring. It is quite hardy, although too rare at 

 present to be fully exposed iu the borders. 



