108 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



as natural associates as Mustard and Cress we must call those in 

 which the flowers are borne separately Primroses, and those with 

 the flowers in bunches Polyanthuses. Both can be raised from 

 seed, and if it be home-gathered it may be sown out of doors in 

 a moist, fine seed-bed as soon as it is ripe. The plants can be 

 treated like Wallflowers that is, thinned, transplanted if they 

 become very crowded (which, however, is unlikely), and planted 

 out where they are to bloom in October or November. If seed 

 has to be bought it should be got in winter, and sown under 

 glass early in the new year. A position on a greenhouse shelf 

 will suit it admirably, or a frame will do. The seedlings may be 

 pricked off into other boxes when they become crowded, and 

 planted out in a nursery bed in a cool, moist place in May or 

 June. They will make strong flowering plants by autumn. The 

 purchaser should make a point of getting his seed from a firm of 

 repute, because the strains differ a great deal. Some seed that 

 will germinate quite well is nevertheless unsatisfactory, because 

 the quality of the flowers which the plants produce is poor. 



The best varieties for a good strain of seed may be marked 

 while they are in bloom, and specially propagated. If increased 

 by division they will keep true, but they will not do so if raised 

 from seed. The best time for division is late spring, after the 

 flowering is over. If the plants are large they may be divided 

 into several portions, but care should always be taken to get a 

 distinct part, with roots of its own. The pieces may be planted 

 in a semi-shady spot, in rich, cool soil. A dry position, fully 

 exposed to the sun during the greater part of the day, does not 

 suit them. They may not make large plants during the summer 

 the probability is that they will not but so long as they become 

 well established, and make some growth, it will suffice, because 

 they will grow rapidly in spring, and spread into large clumps 

 in a few weeks, flowering all the while. The ground may be 

 prepared for them as soon as it is cleared of its summer occu- 



