74 THE FLORIST AND 



The Primrose in all its more immediate varieties delights in a rich, retentive 

 moist soil, being somewhat shaded from the summer sun, consequently there 

 is no more suitable situation than damp woods ; butthere is no real obligation 

 to place it here and no where else, for it will grow and flourish well in any 

 place that commands shade, and is not too dry, if the soil be fertile and not 

 over light. There are many of our city yards where these circumstances are 

 under control, and in all such it may be cultivated. As to hardiness, it stood 

 uninjured at this place totally unprotected on a north west slope, exposed 

 to the most cutting winds of the severe winter two years ago, when the 

 thermometer sunk several times below zero, and this is surely a sufficient test. 

 One of the greatest drawbacks to success, is the attacks of Red Spider 

 (Acarus) to which these plants are, in the summer time, very subject. When 

 thus infested, the leaves assume a brown or russetty colour and appear burnt, 

 the healthy action of the plant is interfered with, and if there is not a timely 

 stop put to the insect, it will most assuredly destroy the subject. In this 

 case sometimes the drenching rains are sufficient to accomplish the purpose? 

 but in continued dry weather we must have recourse to artifice, and there is 

 perhaps nothing better than a few oft-repeated syringings with a solution of 

 whale oil soap in which a little sulphur has been mixed r say one pound of soap, 

 and a half pound of sulphur* to twenty gallons of water. This is a sure 

 remedy, but common suds from the wash tub will often answer the same 

 purpose, only more inefficiently. It is only w T hen growing in over dry or ex- 

 posed situations that there is any danger from this enemy, and when it does 

 appear the remedy is very little trouble or expense. Propagation is accom- 

 plished by division of the stools and by seeds. The best time to divide is 

 immediately after blooming or early in September, when the plant may be 

 cut into as many parts as there are crowns, at the base of each of which is a 

 portion of roots. When propagation from seed is attended to, care ought to 

 be used that none is saved but what is from the best varieties and if artificial 

 impregnation is attended to with an eye to the best properties, some very 

 pleasing anticipations may be in part or often fully realized. The seeds is 

 best sowed as soon as ripe in a shaded situation, choosing a somewhat loose 

 soil; a portion of well rotted leaves is very good mixed up with the base; cover 

 with glass or oiled canvass, but if glass be used, shade from the sun, and in 

 any case leave the sides open to prevent damping, to which the young 

 plants are very subject if deprived of a free circulation. When they have 

 grown three or four leaves plant out about six inches apart, still choosing a 

 shaded situation, and unless the weather be damp give liberal supplies of 

 water. In the fall they will be large enough to be treated as is recommended 

 for the general stock and will bloom in the following spring. 



