270 General Notices. 



probably contained pines which might be useful in this country. Mr. 

 James M'Nab informed the meeting that the cones of the Abies Doug- 

 lasii, without seeds, referred to by Professor Balfour, were taken from 

 the pinetum of Mr. Speiis, of Calcreuch, the tree measuring forty-two 

 feet in height by five feet four inches in circumference at the base. — 

 Professor Low, in answer to a question from the chairman, regarding 

 the quality of the wood of the Cedrus Deodara, stated that it was high- 

 ly valued for its durability by the natives of the East."' — {Card. Jonrn., 

 1848, p. 151.) 



Culture of Primula Sinensis. — This interesting little plant was intro- 

 duced in 1820, and, from its gay appearance in the winter and spring, is 

 well deserving of notice. The seed, which is produced abundantly, should 

 be sown, as soon as it is ripe, in pans, filled with equal parts of sandy soil, 

 and leaf mould, and sparingly watered till they germinate. A fler they have 

 formed two or three rough leaves, transplant them into small pots in equal 

 parts of good loam, rough sandy peat, and rotten dung, with some fine 

 charcoal. Let them be repotted as often as they require it, till ihey show 

 signs of flower, when, instead of repotting them in the common flower-pot, 

 have some small rustic baskets made as follows : — Take a piece of board of 

 any description, one inch thick, and cut it into any shape or form that fancy 

 may suggest (ours are round, square, and oval ;) then nail some pieces of 

 fir or other rough branches of any tree, split by the saw, up the sides, 

 {or rather tofon)i the sides,) and one round the top to form the rim, to which 

 the uprights are fastened, as well as at bottom ; when finished, put some 

 pieces of charcoal and rough peaty turf in the bottom; on this place the 

 roots of the plant, and fill up with the same soil as in pot culture. When 

 this is done, fasten a piece of wire, by both ends, to the sides, so as to form 

 a handle ; then suspend them along the front of the greenhouse. The effect 

 is charming, particularly when there is a mixture in the same basket. I 

 also adopt the same plan with all my achimenes, mixing the species to- 

 gether in the same basket, and using the same kind of soil. By this mode 

 of culture, they may be grown finer than in common pots, however well 

 drained they are, or whatever description of soil is employed. When the 

 primulas have done flowering, place them in any convenient shady place, 

 or they may be planted out in the flower-garden beds ; but their flowers will 

 not be so large or brilliant, nor will they answer the purpose of flowering in 

 the autumn and spring months in the greenhouse, when they are most re- 

 quired, particularly in places where pot plants are required in the dwel- 

 ling-house. If plants of this description are required for planting out in 

 the flower-garden beds, or in rustic or other boxes, January is a good 

 time to sow the seeds, which should be frequently potted, and encour- 

 aged as much as possible, so that they may be pretty strong before plant- 

 ing out. For rock or root work, the plant is well adapted, and forms a 

 pleasing contrast with other plants for that purpose. The primrose is 

 easily propagated from cuttings, but seeds are to be preferred. — {Card. 

 Journ., 1848, p. 229.) 



