PRIMULA CONFERENCE. 



227 



Within the last two or three years another new land very 

 beautiful break in self colours has occurred among both Mr. 

 Simonite's seedlings and my own, showing yet another direction 

 in which we may seek to enrich and improve the Auricula. 

 This new colour is a very lovely and decided pink. The flowers 

 have happily been nearly always gold-tubed, and the petal is a 

 fully rounded type. This young colour, however, is not easy as 

 yet to obtain solid — i.e. t unshaded and steadfast. Some have 

 failed by growing slightly paler with age, or in losing with age 

 the surface of the petal ; so that what is velvet at first is calico 

 at last. 



There is no doubt, however, that the true pink self is a coming 

 flower, and I name it as one illustration more of the direction in 

 which the Auricula may be improved. 



I have spoken of the failures of this newly-won colour — the 

 successes must speak for themselves when they can. 



Adolescence. — There is something very curious in the blooming 

 character of the first three years' life of an upgrown seedling 

 which it is important to mark and allow for, because it certainly 

 is connected with the practical part of our question. 



It is not an invariable rule, but it is a frequent occurrence 

 for a seedling, that blooms with brilliant properties in its maiden 

 year, to flower the second year in much inferior if not loose 

 character. This is oftener the case with the complex-edged 

 flowers than with the simpler selfs. At the third year the 

 flower may either return to its early promise, or go again astray. 

 I do not know how to account for it, but it is a noticeable 

 feature in a long experience. 



It would seem as though the plant were affected by some 

 unseen change or turning point in passing from its seedlinghood 

 to becoming an established variety. Certainly some seedlings 

 that show brilliant properties the first year never afterwards 

 display them ; and occasionally others, that one has gladly given 

 away to friends with garden borders, have, like the 11 ugly 

 duckling ? ' of the story, developed into very swans of excellence. 



1 mention this, not only that joy over some sudden acquisition 

 may be tempered with gravity, but also that doubt may be not 

 milighted with hope. 



I do not cease to feel some anxiety for a brilliant seedling, 

 and some hope over a rather disappointing one, till I have seen 



