January The Passing of Winter 



and September. The proceeding is not a difficult one, 

 providing a greenhouse having a temperature of 55 P 

 or 60 is available. The seeds are sown in sifted sandy 

 soil, five or six in a 6-inch pot, or alternatively in a 

 smaller pot to be repotted subsequently. It is best to 

 arrange so that the seedlings are not disturbed much ; 

 otherwise they are apt to be checked. For this reason 

 it is preferable to sow the seeds direct in the 6-inch 

 pots in which the plants will bloom. In such a case, 

 however, most careful watering is necessary until the 

 Freesias become well rooted. Probably unskilled growers 

 would do well to sow seeds in smaller pots, and, later 

 on, to place each potful in a larger pot without dis- 

 turbing the individuals. By varying the time of seed- 

 sowing one may have Freesias in bloom at different 

 seasons of the year. 



Greenhouse Primulas. One of the prettiest of the 

 newer Primulas is that known as malacoides ; it is 

 only half hardy, but an admirable little plant for the 

 greenhouse, yielding, as it does, a profusion of pale 

 lilac - coloured blossom on innumerable slender stems. 

 It is now in full blossom, and now is the time to sow 

 seeds. Amateurs having a slightly - heated greenhouse 

 can scarcely fail to be pleased with it ; a winter tem- 

 perature of 50 is suitable. The brilliant golden-yellow 

 Primula Kewensis, invaluable for winter blooming, too, 

 should be sown now, and room might well be found 

 also for Primula floribunda, one of the parents of the 

 Kew Primrose ; it is quite a small plant, and one may 

 grow excellent little specimens in 4 - inch - wide pots. 

 The small yellow flowers are produced very freely in 

 winter and early spring. The white - leaved Primula 

 verticillata, bearing lemon - yellow blooms, should be 

 sown now to provide flowers early next year. All these 

 may be grown in cold frames or even out of doors during 

 summer, but they must be brought into the greenhouse 

 in early autumn. I have been astonished to find how 



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