DOUBLE AND JAPAN PRIMROSES. 



Self-coloured and Fancy Polyanthuses and Primroses are propagated in a similar 

 way; but instead of using pots they are planted in the open ground. Plants for 

 bedding are generally divided at the time of bedding-out spring plants— about October. 

 When beds are required for summer-flowering plants, lift the polyanthuses or primroses 

 with the ball attached to the roots, and re-plant in a cool and shady border, keeping 

 well watered in summer. When planted in beds or other places out-of-doors, primroses 

 and polyanthuses ought to have rich soil, rather of a heavy nature, and manure should 

 be liberally added if necessary. 



Double Primroses are much admired and are usually prized by all who know them. 

 They require more care in cultivation, some standing severe weather rather badly. In 

 many gardens they would be best treated as frame plants, keeping them from severe 

 frost in winter, and sun and draught in spring and summer. They like shade, and do 

 well in summer in a frame with the glass shaded with whiting or other shading. 

 Eemove the light in dull and moist weather, and when on give plenty of air, keeping 

 the plants moist by watering them over the leaves occasionally. They are increased by 

 division in August or spring ; preferably in the former season. 



A few double polyanthuses are also in cultivation, but these, with various out-of-the- 

 way forms of primroses — such as " hose-in-hose," "galligaskins," &c. — and polyanthuses 

 are amenable to the same cultivation as the others. There are now so few named 

 polyanthuses procurable that it is unnecessary to give a list of names. A selection of 

 double primroses will be found under Primula on page 253 of Yol. I. 



Peimula. Sieboldi. 



There are now so many beautiful varieties of this very attractive primula, that it may 

 appropriately be included among florists' flowers. There seems some difference of opinion 

 as to the identity or relationship of this species with P. cortusoides — a question of but 

 little moment to those who look upon flowers from a gardening point of view. There 

 can, however, be no question as to the beauty and value of the seedling varieties which 

 the pains taken by a few florists have given us. The improved flowers exhibited at 

 spring shows have attracted almost universal admiration, and led to their increased 

 cultivation. 



Siebold's, or the Japan primrose, produces trusses of large flowers of varied form 

 and colour (Fig. 46). The leaves are also very pretty, and in harmony with the shape 

 and shade of colour shown by the blooms. Some flowers are circular and smooth- 



VOL. II. n 



