POTTING PRIMULAS 



181 



moss to keep the dirt from washing through and eventually 

 stopping up the crevices through which the excess water 

 should flow. 



A safe rule to follow in first potting the majority of 

 house-plants, is to use one-third turf-loam, one-third leaf- 

 mold or decayed leaves, and one-third sand, thoroughly 

 mixed. Reduce the amount of leaf-mold and sand at 

 successive pottings, adding a little well 

 rotted manure, until, when the plants have 

 been potted in 6 -inch pots, at least four- 

 fifths of the soil is turfy loam. Press the 

 soil firmly in the pot and around the plant. 

 Never fill the pot level full of soil, else the 

 plant cannot be watered. 



Prickly Poppies, or ARGEMONES, 



are hardy annuals, with large, bluish 

 striking foliage and yellow flowers. They 

 are easily grown in a warm soil and sunny 

 exposure. Sow the seeds where the plants 

 are to stand. Thin to 12 to 18 inches 

 apart. They grow 2 feet high. 



Primulas, or PRIMROSES, are of 



various kinds. One of them is the Auricula (which see). 

 Others are hardy border plants. The true or English cow- 

 slip is one of these; also the plants commonly known as 

 Polyanthus. Hardy Primulas grow 6 to 10 inches high, 

 sending up trusses of yellow and red flowers in early 

 spring. Propagated by division, or by seed sown a year 

 before the plants are wanted. Give them rich, moist soil. 



The Primula of the winter-garden is mostly the P. Sinensis 

 (Chinese Primrose), grown very extensively by florists as a 

 Christmas plant. With the exception of the full double 

 varieties, it is usually grown from seed. The seed sown in 

 March or April will make large flowering plants by No- 

 vember or December, if the young plants are shifted to 

 larger pots as needed. The seed should be sown on the flat 



