32 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



Raising seeds of hardy flowers is one of the most in- 

 teresting of all operations in a small garden. Even a cold 

 frame will suffice for them, simply putting on a " light " 

 when the seed is sown, watching for slugs and woodlice 

 when the seedlings show themselves, and when sufficiently 

 large transferring to a prepared piece of ground in the open. 

 We have known delightful groups of Primroses, Polyanthuses, 

 and Auriculas raised in this way. The beginner in gardening 

 who is keen upon raising new flowers with the simple con- 

 trivances at his disposal should choose the three charming 

 flowers named, and many beautiful strains, as the florists call 

 a race of unnamed seedlings, may result. There must be 

 system in the work. In the first place purchase the finest 

 seed in the market. Think nothing of the price. The most 

 expensive seed brings the greatest treasures in the shape of 

 finer flowers for colour and form, and also plants of good 

 habit of growth. When there are no prizes the flowers, with 

 few exceptions, are sufficiently distinct and true in colour to 

 use freely in the beds and borders. When seed raising is 

 seriously undertaken with a view to improving an existing 

 race, the seedlings, when large enough to remove, must 

 be planted in a bed by themselves, the individual tufts being 

 far enough apart to develop. The object of this is to remove 

 poor kinds so as to preserve the beauty of the whole race. 

 A muddled, speckled Primrose in the midst of others of clear 

 telling colours has no right there, its presence will probably, 

 through the agency of birds, bees, or insects, spoil the 

 others by its pollen mixing with that of the other flowers. 

 With a bed of seedlings in front of one, destroy all tints 

 which fail to please, and remember that it is important to 

 know that the attributes of a good garden Primrose, bunch- 

 flowered or otherwise, Polyanthus, or Auricula, is a pure self-, 

 coloured flower of good shape, held on a strong stem, and free 

 in every way both in bloom and growth. In this way the 

 glorious Munstead Primroses were created by Miss Jekyll, 

 and rich orange, pure white, yellow, and other shades secured, 

 and not only so, but in large heads supported upon strong 

 stems, to produce an effect of colour when massed in the 

 garden. 



The Auricula may be treated in quite the same way. We 

 know few flowers so charming in the spring for its wonderful 

 variety of rich colours, its freedom, and perfume. A whiff of 

 Auricula perfume on a spring day fills one with gladness that 

 the winter has gone and brighter and sunnier days ushered 

 in. Raising Auriculas from seed is quite simple, and the same 

 care and attention in selecting the good colours must be 



