202 



REPORT ON THE 



Primula grow indifferently in various kinds of soil, but the soil 

 most suitable all round is that which is inclined to be heavy, 

 and there must be a continuous supply of moisture ; but if the 

 atmospheric conditions are suitable, the matter of soil is of 

 secondary importance. In the neighbourhood of London the 

 climate is very dry ; the rainfall does not exceed on an average 

 24 inches in the year. The soil in the spring-time may be 

 suitable enough, and the Primulas may do very well then; but 

 the supply of moisture failing after the blooming period is 

 over, these Primulas are apt to die out. Now an important 

 point is that the moisture must be continuous, because in a 

 great many species after the blooming period is over the growth 

 does not stop, but is continued, and by far the largest and 

 healthiest leaves are produced by some species after the blooming 

 period is over ; so that instead of being dried up the moisture 

 ought to be continuous. Then, if the atmospheric conditions 

 are suitable, you may succeed, for I think they are of more 

 importance than the matter of soils. This brings me to 

 speak of the Himalayan species, P. tlenticuhtta and its varieties. 

 In our climate we find we can cultivate it very well until 

 autumn. It is inclined to show its bloom in the autumn too 

 early for our requirements ; then, if a mild period intervenes in 

 the end of the season, the flowers are too far forward, and if frost 

 and thaw intervene alternately these flowers are destroyed. If 

 we could induce these Primulas to rest at that time we would 

 succeed far better with P. denticulata and P. capitata, and those 

 sorts, than we do at present. Then as to shade, I think that is 

 of secondary importance. It is important from this point of view 

 to prolong the period of bloom, especially if we want those 

 flowers to keep their colours and their particular hue ; but if the 

 conditions are otherwise suitable in the open air, I think the 

 shading is not at all important. 



Votes of Thanks. 



The Chairman : We have now exhausted our prescribed pro- 

 gramme, but before the meeting closes, I should like to propose a 

 vote of thanks to those gentlemen who have prepared papers. 

 The value of these papers is very great indeed, and the least 

 that we can do, I am sure, is to pass a most hearty vote of thanks 



