ASB CONSERVATOTIT. 97 



grown in the same way as the Ixia and Sparaxis. The best 

 varieties, requiring atielter in winter, are 31. edulis, M. lineata, 

 M. exaltata, M. hicolor, M. Collina, M. pajjilionacea, M. poJij- 

 stachys, M. viscaria. 



Primula. — The Chinese primrose, P. prenitens, is a great 

 favorite for winter and spring display, and there are several 

 remarkably fine varieties, both single and double, in the 

 market, those of the last named section being true florist's 

 flowers, with names and histories, and fixed characters. The 

 single kinds are the easier to manage, as we raise them from 

 seed, and when they have flowered throw them away, whereas 

 the double varieties have to be grown from divisions of the 

 stool, and it is a matter of very nice management to make stock 

 or to grow fine specimens. We will begin with the single 

 kinds, which anybody can grow who will take care to secure 

 a supply of first-rate seed to begin with. 



To insure a continuous display throughout the winter, make 

 two sowings of seed ; the first sowing the last week in May or 

 the first week in June, and the second towards the end of 

 August. The first batch of plants will commence flowering: in 

 November, and the second early in January, unless the first 

 flower-buds are nipped out, and in that case the time of their 

 coming into flower will be delayed for a month or six weeks. 

 Sow the seed in five-inch pots, previously prepared by draining 

 them efficiently, and then filling them with a light rich com- 

 post. Make the surface of the soil perfectly level, to prevent 

 the possibility of any portion of the seed being buried too deep. 

 "Water the soil moderately, previous to sowing the seed, to 

 prevent the necessity of a heavy application of water afterwards. 

 The seed should be covered as lightly as possible with fine 

 sandy soil, and the pots then placed in a pit or house, the tem- 

 perature of which is maintained at about 60°. It is also im- 

 portant to sow the seed rather thinly, to prevent overcrowdinc; 

 before the young plants are strong enough to prick oft". 

 Instead of potting the plants off" separately in small pots, when 

 they are removed from the seed-pot, they should be pricked off 

 into seed-pans, and be at once returned to a warm pit or house 

 to promote a free growth. In the course of a fortnight remove 

 them to a cold frame, which will be the most suitable quarter 

 for them until the autumn. "When strong and well established, 

 pot off singly into three-inch pots, and stand them upon a be.! 



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