POTTING PRIMULAS. 



93 



These newly-potted plants should be placed in a shallow pit or frame with either a 

 northerly or western aspect. They ought to be arranged on a bed of ashes within 

 9 inches of the glass. Abundance of light, but not strong sunshine, coupled later on 

 with a free circulation of air, serve to keep them sturdy and strong. For a few days 

 they should be kept close, also watered carefully. Admit more air, ventilating freely 

 in fact, before the leaf stalks lengthen unduly. Before they become root-bound shift 

 into their flowering pots. At this potting the strongest plants may be placed in 7-inch, 

 the medium-sized in G-inch, and the later or more weakly plants in 5-inch pots. Never 

 despise plants because they are weakly, as in all probability these, if properly treated, 

 will prove to be among the best in point of quality of flower. For this potting :t 

 moderately rich compost is recommended. It may consist of brown fibrous loam, three 



Fig. 47. Potting Phimulas. 

 References: — a, a common error ; b, correct practice. 



parts to one part each of fine leaf soil and well-decayed manure, with small nodules of 

 charcoal and sharp sand added. 



Use clean, well-drained pots ; pot firmly, again taking care to keep the stems low. 

 Eeturn the plants to the pits or frames and give less air and water for about a week. 

 Before they become drawn allow them more space and admit abundance of air both by 

 night and day, always remembering that once they form long slender leaf stalks 

 there can be no recovery to the desirable compact condition. On fine, mild nights the 

 lights may be wholly drawn off with advantage. 



In the autumn and throughout the winter the proper position for Chinese primulas 

 of this class are airy shelves and light greenhouse stagings, grouping them apart from 

 all other plants. Low temperature and a damp atmosphere, conditions almost in- 

 separable in this case, are most injurious to these by no means hardy plants, and there 



