STOVE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 59 



THE PLUflERIAS are a neglected class of plants somehow ; we see 

 them only in places where a general collection of stove and greenhouse 

 plants are grown, and yet their flowers are large, showy and sweet 

 smelling. The stems and foliage have an ornamental character of their 

 own. They make very rapid growth in Summer, being well suited for 

 tub culture. The plants should be kept dry during Winter. The leaves 

 will fall off early, and the pots or tubs in which the plants grow may be 

 laid on their sides under the bench of a greenhouse. In propagating, 

 which may be done best during February, the cuttings may be taken 

 from 6 inches to a foot long; stand them upright or leaning against the 

 back part of the propagating bench, but not with the bases buried in 

 the sand. Nor should they be allowed any water for a week or two. 

 After the cut part is well healed over they may be potted in almost dry 

 sand, in which they root quickly if put in a brisk heat. 



PRinULA SINENSIS has not by any means been left behind in the im- 

 provement of florists' flowers. The latest strains put on the market 

 would almost be taken for new species by those who only knew the 

 plants of nearly thirty years ago. P. sinensis is a popular Winter 

 blooming plant. The seed may be sown as early as the last of March 

 to have plants in 5 and 6-inch pots in bloom before Christmas. Later 

 sowings should also be made, but it should be borne in mind that the 

 plants make their best growth during cool weather. They may be sum- 

 mered in a well-aired and shaded frame. 



P. Forbesil is a wonderful species when we consider the enormous 

 number of flowers produced on even small plants. Several plants may 

 be potted together in shallow pans. 



P. floribunda with small yellow flowers has a very floriferous form 

 named P. Isabellina ; the flo wers are creamy white. 



Primula obconica would seem to be in the process of being evolved 

 from the rather inconspicuous flower of the type to one not unworthy 

 to stand alongside those of the finest strains of Primula sinensis. One 

 of the European seed firms, a few j'ears ago, offered seed under the 

 name of P. o. grandiflora fimbriata, a sowing of which I made at the 

 time. The resulting seedlings corroborated all that had been claimed 

 for them. Some are heavily fringed, and range from pure white to deep 

 rose. The largest individual flowers are a little short of being an inch 

 and a half in diameter. The plants are exceedingly floriferous; some in 

 6-inch pots have the foliage almost hidden with bloom. To have plants 

 in flower by the first of the year the seeds should be sown as early in the 

 season as possible. Cover the seed very lightly with finely screened 

 sphagnum, moistening the surface whenever it shows signs of becoming 

 dry. As soon as large enough to handle the seedlings may be either 

 potted off singly, or placed around the edge of a 3 or 4-inch pot previous 

 to giving them their first pots. During the Summer the seedlings should 

 be shaded from the sun and never allowed to get dry. They do not 

 make much headway during the very hot months. The plants will not 

 suffer if given their last shift just as they are coming into bloom. Keep 

 in the coolest house. 



