6o THE BOOK OF THE WINTER GARDEN 



are pinched three times annually. They should, however, 

 be propagated so that a fresh supply is ready when the 

 older plants become shabby. Albopicta, Bowringiana^ 

 diadema^ erect a multiflora, incarnata purpurea ^ incarnata 

 ** Arthur Mallet" (very fine), venosa. The specially 

 good sanguinea and Haageana^ both of a warm red 

 colour, grow into remarkably handsome specimens if 

 fed with weak manure water, and the older shoots cut 

 out now and then to be replaced with younger pushing 

 ones. Several varieties of Rex^ such as Winter Per- 

 fection, Silver Grey, etc., are good winter leaved plants. 

 5. Limningi and B, foliosa are useful basket plants — 

 for flowers and green foliage. 



Chinese Primroses 



Of these delightful and fragrant plants, the rosy red 

 and crimson flowered varieties are best for greenhouse 

 benches and also for table use, the colours being so 

 effective on dull days and by artificial light. The double 

 white is very useful for supplying cut flowers. A 

 mixed packet of a good strain will yield many good 

 plants. Sow twice — end of April and second week of 

 May — in pans or pots filled with equal parts loam and leaf 

 mould, without lump, and on the firm prepared surface, 

 covering the seed with a sprinkling of silver sand just 

 thick enough to hide. Press the sand slightly, and stand 

 the pots in a greenhouse, shading them from sunshine. 

 Like most seedling primroses, the seedlings will not 

 rise together, but directly a few are large enough to get 

 hold of, prick them round the edges of pans filled with 

 compost well firmed with the fingers. A suitable place 

 for them during the next two weeks will be a propagating 

 case, provided air can be given. Afterwards place on 

 shelves sheltered from strong light. 



When the leaves spread through one another, trans- 



