io6 A Seed-sowing Tip 



suffer in them for lack of moisture in summer-time,, but 

 even more severely in winter from the conlbined effects 

 of frosts and piercing winds, which damage the foliage 

 considerably. In such instances, and where no posi- 

 tion in the rock garden is calculated to afford com- 

 plete immunity from their ill-effects, a thin screen of 

 evergreen or shrub to the windward will do much 

 good. If this is not possible, the laying of sprays of 

 English yew or like subject over the plants will modify 

 the ill. 



Of the danger accruing from planting everything on 

 a rule-of-thumb principle, Primula rosea is worthy of 

 notice. It is not infrequently included in lists of bog- 

 loving plants, and rightly so. The artificially con- 

 structed bog, however, may soon be nothing more 

 than a stagnant pool, the plants in it a complete failure. 

 Where this is experienced, drier conditions afford a 

 remedy. This Primula, however, loves moisture — 

 though is happy enough in that near equivalent, shade 

 with rich soil — 'but is quite content if the root fibres 

 can just reach it. 



The group of Primulas known as Sieboldi affords 

 a further illustration. Recommended years ago 

 by a well-known writer whose practical experi- 

 ence of hardy plant cultivation was not great 

 for "high and dry positions in the rock garden," 

 the remark, copied into books and gardening periodi- 

 cals galore, has, been directly responsible for the miser- 

 able caricatures that have become general. No 

 Primula is hardier than P. Sieboldi and its varieties, 

 none revel more in rich soils and uniformly moist con- 

 ditions, or give a better flower return. They come 

 early, too — April to May, when they are most welcome. 

 Plant the roots 2 inches or more deep in early autumn. 

 Apropos of Primulas, sow all seeds of them while 

 quite fresh — ^the bog-loving sorts always on wet soils, 

 and keep them so. 



The Soldanellas are among the most captivating of 

 alpipes, but only rarely a success in lowland gardens. 



