126 VILLA GARDENLSfG PART I 



ing season, and it is better to meet these pests beforehand by dust- 

 ing a little Tobacco powder among the plants occasionally in the 

 spring, or to fimiigate lightly, wdthout waiting for the fly to appear. 

 The flower trusses will need support as they advance in growth, 

 and if very fine flowers are sought only one spike should be left 

 on each plant. 



The work of hybridising, saving seeds, and raising seedlings 

 where a good collection is cultivated, is most interesting ; indeed 

 no one can go properly into their culture without wishing for the 

 general excitement of seeing a progeny springing up which in some 

 measure owes its origin to his own hands. The seed pods should 

 be carefully collected as they ripen, and be placed away in the con- 

 dition in which they are gathered till spring, when the seeds should 

 be sown in boxes or pans, covering lightly. A little bottom-heat 

 will cause them to germinate more speedily, but the old florists 

 seldom use it, preferring to trust to natural means alone. Where 

 pains have been taken to cross diflerent varieties, a pedigree book 

 should be kept, otherwise we should be working in the dark. The 

 young seedlings will not endm-e bright sun even for an hour, so 

 must be constantly shaded. 



These remarks, short and imperfect as they are, would not be 

 complete without some reference to the Auricula and its relatives, 

 the Polyanthus and Primula, as border plants. In a cool shady bor- 

 der in the early spring a perfect paradise may be created with this 

 family alone ; in fact no other distinct race is capable of doing so 

 much to inspire aftection, or clings so tightly round the hearts of 

 those who once commence their cidture ; and in the open air, if the 

 position is well selected, and if Art helps Natm-e as much as she can, 

 the Primula garden will in spring be one of the sweetest, brightest 

 features imaginable. The one thing to be constantly kept in mind 

 is that Primulas will not thrive in the full sunshine. Auriculas 

 of the alpine section are specially adapted for fiunishing any cool 

 shady corner of the rockery, where, in association with the Cycla- 

 men and other shade -loving subjects, very eS"ective groups and 

 featm-es may be created. In country places there are hundreds of 

 situations where, in a natural dell, a Primula garden may be formed 

 superior to anything of the kind most of us have ever yet seen. 

 It only requires to be set about by some one full of love of the 

 subjects and possessing some knowledge of their requirements. 

 The expense would be very trifling in comparison with that of 

 other forms of gardening. 



The Ranunculus. — The Ranunculus of the florist is a near 

 relative of the Buttercup of the meadow, which grows so luxu- 

 riantly in cool damp bottoms. Its great beauty during growth 



