33° 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



should bo filled with a, mixture of fine loam, leaf mould and sand, and this moistened, 

 the seed soon after being sown on the surface and pressed into the soil. If covered with 

 squares of glass, shaded, and kept uniformly moist, the seed germinates quickly and 

 surely in gentle heat. Keep the seedlings sturdy by exposing them to the light, 

 and, when large enough to handle, place them singly in small pots, taking care to bury 

 the stem. After they are well-established in the small pots transfer to cold frames, and 

 before they become much root-bound, shift into 5-inch pots. They thrive well in a 

 mixture of two parts loam to one of leaf soil, with a free admixture of sand. After 

 a shift has been given, keep the frames somewhat close for a few days. At other times 



Fig-. 190. Pbimula, old Double White. 

 References: a, cutting; b, offset; c, flowering plant. 



afford abundance of air, and if the frames arc arranged with the high backs to the 

 south, not much shading will be needed. Spraying and dews are beneficial to primulas. 

 Flower them in light greenhouses, not crowding them at any time. Liquid manure 

 improves the size and colour of the flowers, and genial warmth should be maintained. 

 See also page 91 et seq., Vol. II. 



Double white primulas are decidedly profitable. Strong plants flower freely all 

 through the late autumn and winter months, especially. The flowers are cut for sale 

 frequently ; they fetch 4d. and Gd. per dozen trusses. Flowering plants in 5-inch 

 pots can also be sold to the trade at 6s. to 9s. per dozen. The semi-doubles raised 

 from seed are of little value from a market-grower's point of view; nor are the 



