CHAP, viii VILLA GARDENING 191 



glass, but shaded from bright suushiue. They should be potted 

 in porous soil, such as rough nodules of loam and peat, with plenty 

 of sand intermixed. With the watering entrusted to an experienced 

 and careful hand, the double Primula will give very valuable 

 results. In winter the plants should occupy a house where the 

 temperatm-e never foils much under 50°. By taking the cuttings 

 early in spring, nice blooming plants will be obtained by autumn. 

 Dm-ing the siunmer a cold frame is the best place for them, but 

 they should be housed in good time. 



The Chrysanthemum. — This forms one of the chief attrac- 

 tions of the cool conservatory in autumn and winter. Though 

 they are easily grown, yet to produce handsome specimens clothed 

 to the base with healthy foliage reciuires skill and much patient 

 attention. Some kinds carry their foliage much better than others, 

 and when these varieties are discovered it is well to allow such to 

 predominate in the collection, as good healthy foliage adds much 

 to their efiectiveness, and the want of it is such a great drawback. 

 If Chrysanthemums are expected to attain their highest point of 

 excellence as specimen plants, the cuttings should be started in 

 November, and none but those in robust health should be selected. 

 Plant singly in small pots, and plunge in Cocoa-fibre, or some 

 similar material, in an old hotbed, where there is just sufficient 

 heat to help forward the steady production of healthy roots, but 

 not enough to excite undue growth. In this position the yoimg 

 plants may be kept through the winter just slightly on the move, 

 receiving plenty of air in suitable weather, and protected with 

 warm coverings during severe frosts, using covering enough to 

 keep out the frost, so that they at least may be partially, if not 

 wholly, uncovered most days when the sim shines. Generally 

 speaking, during frosty weather, turning back the coverings at the 

 top to let in light will be sufficient. Some kinds of plants may 

 be covered up and kept in darkness for several weeks at a time in 

 A\inter without injiny, but I do not think the Chrysanthemums 

 belong to the nmnber, nor is there any necessity to expose them 

 to such an ordeaL The great object should be steady vigorous 

 growth, to ensiu-e a strong sturdy base, with plenty of healthy 

 roots, and this is best accomi^lished by giving plenty of time ; 

 hence the value of autumn propagation, though at the same time it 

 must be conceded that spring propagation also produces good re- 

 sidts, especially in the production of plants for home decoration. 

 Following the fortimes of the autumn cuttings, by the end of 

 February or beginning of March they will be in nice condition for 

 pushing on with the increasing daylight. But all through their 

 career they must not be permitted to get pot-bound till they are 



