492 



THE GABDENEB'S ASSISTANT. 



an inch apart, and returned to the frame, 

 keeping them close and shaded until estab- 

 lished, when they may receive cooler treat- 

 ment. Their next shift should be singly into 

 3-inch pots, keeping them close for a few days. 

 Shift again into 5-inch pots, taking care to 

 develop, by means of light and ventilation, a 

 stiff, robust habit of growth. They delight in a 

 moderately open and rather rich compost, con- 

 sisting of six parts of turfy loam and one part 



tBsl 



fW. 





■J* 



wmm& 



-MmMr 



Fig. 599.— Primula sinensis. 



each of well-decomposed cow-manure, leaf-soil, 

 and silver sand The pots need efficient drain- 

 age, so that water may pass iwav freely from 

 the roots, the soil made rather firm, and deep 

 potting is to be preferred. After May the 

 plants will do well in a cold frame. Water 

 them freely during the summer, but in autumn 

 and winter give just enough to maintain a 

 moderate moisture in the soil. An airy position 

 a short distance from the roof-glass suits them 

 during winter, with a temperature not below 

 45 to 50 degrees. 



The Chinese Primula is exceptionally well cul- 

 tivated in the neighbourhood of Birmingham, 

 very large specimens 2 feet or more in diameter, 

 with large massive foliage and very fine flowers, 

 being annually exhibited in November in the 

 town-hall there. The Birmingham strain is 

 quite distinct. The treatment of the plants is 

 as follows: — 



The seeds are sown as soon after ripening 

 as possible. The young plants are pricked off 



when ready, and potted into small pots when 

 large enough. They are wintered in these pots, 

 on shelves very close to the glass. At the turn 

 of the year, when the plants show signs of fresh 

 growth, they are shifted into 5-inch pots, and 

 kept close to the glass in a genial, warm, green- 

 house temperature. In June they are put into 

 cold frames, kept close to the glass, shaded 

 during the brightest part of day, plenty of air 

 being judiciously given early in the day, re- 

 duced or closed altogether according to weather 

 before the sun has left the glass. The final 

 shift into 8-inch pots is given soon after the 

 plants are removed into cold frames. They 

 are allowed plenty of room during the whole 

 growing season. Weak cow-manure water, with 

 soot, is beneficial when the plants are well- 

 rooted. A sharp look-out is kept for green-fly. 

 About the middle of September the plants are 

 moved into a cool, airy greenhouse to flower, 

 and from November onwards many of them 

 become perfect pyramids of bloom from purest 

 white to deep crimson, lasting for several months 

 in beauty. Some of the favourite sorts are: — 



Duke of York, Emperor, Eynsford White, Her Majesty, 

 Kentish Purple, Marquis of Lome, Meteor, Mont Blanc. 

 Princess May, Swanley Giant, White Lady, White 

 Perfection. 



Several fine double and semi-double varieties 

 have been produced from seed; the former are 

 increased by means of cuttings; the latter come 

 fairly true from seed. 



The old double white is largely propagated 

 by means of cuttings planted in pots of light 

 sandy soil in a moderate heat. Another plan, 

 that of layering, is, as soon as the old plants 

 have gone out of bloom fine cocoa-nut fibre is 

 piled up among the shoots, which soon root into 

 it; they are then taken off and potted. Some 

 growers partly sever the shoots with a knife, 

 in the belief that it induces a quicker root- 

 development, [r. d c ] 



Pyrethrum (fig. 600). — Pyretlirum roseum 

 has been so greatly improved by the florist that 

 the fine double-flowered kinds may be said to 

 fill such places in May, June, and July as the 

 Aster and Chrysanthemum fill in autumn. 

 During the last thirty years or so Mr. Wm. 

 Kelway and others have produced numerous 

 varieties, both single and double, by continuous 

 cross-breeding and selection. 



They thrive under ordinary conditions, re- 

 sponding readily to liberal treatment, and are 

 useful either for beds or to form masses in 



