174 PRIMROSES [CH, 



As in the case of some others of the family, I have ob- 

 served it growing as freely as a cabbage on one side of 

 a rock, and on the other side, only a few inches away, 

 it has dwindled and died. 



In this respect it is a type of many another plant, 

 and should teach us to shift our favourites and try them 

 in various positions and soils. For these questions of soil 

 and aspect are perhaps the most urgent of all points in 

 gardening. 



Of all the members of this family there are none so 

 attractive and satisfactory to the amateur as our native 

 Primrose and its varieties. One class, the Primrose proper, 

 takes its origin from the flower which grows wild every- 

 where on our banks and in our hedgerows. Another, the 

 Polyanthus, comes from the oxlip or cowslip. The one 

 sends up a number of separate flowers, each on its own 

 stem ; the other produces one distinct stem, and on 

 it grows many flowers. Cultivation in each case has 

 produced a variety of new developments in size, and 

 colour, and beauty of foliage. 



Perhaps the most notable result of the cultivation of 

 the polyanthus has been the Munstead or bunch-flowered, 

 raised by Miss Jekyll. 



As to the Oxlip, when a good strain of seed has been 

 found, there will be no difficulty in raising some very 

 perfect and beautiful forms and shades of colouring. 

 Every sowing will produce a host of charming flowers, 

 and frequently something altogether novel. For rich 

 inlaid colouring and profusion of bloom, there is nothing 



