A YEAR'S GARDENING 



to July in clean pots (for the Primula is nice in its requirements) 

 fiUed with a compost of loam, leaf mould and a little sand; water 

 before sowing, sow thinly, and cover lightly with soil, and place the 

 pots in a temperature of 55° to 65° for germination of seed. The 

 seedlings should be pricked off singly into pots as soon as they will 

 bear it, and during the summer months should be freely exposed to 

 the air, as a robust growth is essential for the production of good 

 bloom. Care must be exercised in watering, as an excess of moisture 

 or drought is equally fatal. The varieties are so numerous that it is 

 impossible to give a detailed list here, but they may be had in all 

 colours— white, blue, red, crimson, scarlet, spotted, margined, etc. 

 The Star Primula (P. stellata) is a free-flowering variety of P. sinensis, 

 but taller, more slender and more elegant in growth. It is well worth 

 cultivation, as it continues in bloom a long time and makes excellent 

 sprays for cutting, remaining fresh in water for many days. Its 

 culture is the same as that of P. sinensis and its colours are almost as 

 various. 



PRIMULA- VULGARIS. See Primrose. 



PRINCE'S FEATHER. See Amaranthus. 



PTEROCEPHALUS. The P. pamassi is a useful addition to the 

 Rock Garden, where its clumps of pachydermous-like leaves, sur- 

 mounted with mauve flowers, are distinctly effective. 



PUSCHKINIA. P. scilloides is a pretty bulbous plant, similar 

 in growth to the Scillas and a beautiful addition to the Spring Garden. 

 It bears spikes of delicate blue flowers and needs a warm, sunny 

 aspect and light friable soU. The bulbs should be planted in autumn, 

 about 4 inches deep. 



PYRETHRUM. A hardy perennial of vigorous growth, useful 

 not only as a foliage plant but also for its blossoms, which are con- 

 tinually being improved in variety of colour and form. Though 

 midsummer is its best time for flowering, it is valuable for autumn 

 display, as if cut down after first blooming it wiU blossom again, and 

 a succession of bloom can be obtained by periodical sowing and 

 judicious stopping. The varieties, both single and double, are 

 too numerous to be quoted here, but among the beautiful single 

 kind (by many more esteemed than the double) which are recom- 

 mended by Messrs Kelway the following may be mentioned: Agnes 

 Mary Kelway, rose-coloured; ApoUyon, pink; Golconde, crimson; 

 Mrs Bateman Brown, purple; and Princess Marie, white. 



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