28 MARKET NURSERY WORK 



are so nearly related and call for almost identical treatment 

 at least, in their early stages. 



Both should be sown in June and July. But here we must 

 have a special word. We have seen many failures in the germina- 

 tion of these seeds, not through any inherent fault, but simply 

 because they were subjected to conditions inimical to them. 

 The seed pans have been stood in greenhouses or frames where 

 they have not been sufficiently protected from the direct rays 

 of the sun, or, where coverings have been placed, the temperature 

 about them has been allowed to run up higher than it should. 

 Further, we have noted the ill effects of irregular treatment, 

 the surface of the soil being sometimes too wet, at others, dust 

 dry. There are really few plants that can successfully negotiate 

 such treatment, but most certainly they cannot be found among 

 the Primulas. 



There is one other danger. We have seen a splendid germina- 

 tion, the young plants have developed their leaves, transplantation 

 has been in sight, and then great havoc has been made by 

 woodlice. This can be guarded against by raising the seedlings 

 where the bed on which they stand can be always kept damp, 

 for if woodlice like one thing more than another it is dryness. 

 And when we say keep the bed damp, we do not mean wet. Too 

 much moisture will cause damping off in plant culture extremes 

 are always dangerous. Reason must control every condition. 



P. Malacoides, sown in June, may be flowering freely in 48'$ 

 at Christmas, but P. Obconica will not be so advanced before 

 March. Both should be transplanted directly they are large 

 enough to handle and afterwards potted, first into 6o's, say, about 

 the end of August, and then into 48*3 at the end of October. 

 A good compost for most Primulas is a barrowful of chopped 

 turfy loam, one-third barrowful each of pulverised cow manure 

 and sifted leaf soil, with half a peck of coarse silver sand. The 

 sand is very important, it gives tone and secures porosity. 

 The potting should be firm without being hard. 



FERNS 



Ferns require a full measure of heat and moisture during 

 their initial stages. What they do they must be induced to 



