96 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



way — the petals are rounder, and the flowers larger, fuller, and more perfect in form ; 

 trusses larger, stems stronger, and the shades of rose and lilac richer and more varied. 



There is, unfortunately, one serious drawback attached to the cultivation of this 

 primula. The glandular hairs on the leaves when they come into contact with the 

 delicate skins of certain people are apt to set up an irritation which may easily 

 degenerate into a form of eczema. It is only a comparatively few that it affects in this 

 way, but the consequence may be serious, doctors not knowing the cause, and not 

 always finding a remedy. No harm, however, would result if only the irritation were 

 allowed to subside naturally, allaying it with vaseline. Eubbing and scratching the 

 affected part increases the irritation. 



Propagation and Culture. — Primula obconica may either be raised from seeds 

 annually or increased by division in the spring. Seedlings are more vigorous and 

 produce finer trusses than do the plants obtained by division of the crowns. February 

 or early in March is a good time to sow the seeds, this affording ample time for growing 

 the plants to a serviceable size by the autumn. Prepare pots or pans for the seeds 

 and otherwise treat much as advised in the case of Chinese primulas. They germinate 

 most surely in the heat and moisture of a cucumber house or frame. The seedlings 

 when quite small may either be pricked in pans of soil, moving them from these 

 into 3-inch pots, or they may be placed direct into 2 -inch pots, sinking them up to the 

 seed leaves. Directly they are well established in these small pots transfer from 

 shelves in a moderately warm house in which they were started to greenhouse shelves, 

 or to near the glass in a warm frame. They must not be allowed to flower prematurely 

 nor to suffer by want of water, and before the pots become crowded with roots give the 

 final shift, using the same kind of soil as advised for P. sinensis. The strongest of the 

 plants m&y be flowered in 6-inch pots and the remainder in a size smaller. Care must 

 be taken not to bury the hearts, and the potting should be done firmly. From this 

 date onwards the plants, however raised, may be associated with the faster growing 

 Chinese primulas, but are less liable than these to be injured if arranged along the fronts 

 of greenhouse stagings. They should be fed liberally at the roots, and if the flowers 

 are cut as fast as the stems are firm and rigid, the season will be considerably prolonged. 



THE PYBETHKUM. 



Pyrethrums rank among those flowers which are universally admired. The double- 

 liowered varieties equal in beauty many of the ever-popular annual asters, which they 



