STRING FLOWER GARDENING. 



279 



I may now enter on a period of the year a little more 

 advanced, which includes part of March and the months of April 

 and May. I need only cursorily mention the common and well- 

 known plants, the cultivation of which is well known, dwelling 

 more particularly on others of special merit or recent introduction 

 — those not so generally grown. 



If there is one group or family of plants more thana nother 

 that deserves prominent mention, and claims the admiration of 

 all growers of hardy plants, it is that of the Primula. From the 

 modest Primrose of our wood to the noble forms from India and 

 Japan, all are more or less charming and interesting, and there 

 is just that little difficulty in growing some of them that gives a 

 zest to the endeavour, and satisfaction as the result is favourable 

 and success assured. The habits of our native and naturalised 

 species afford us cultural hints. These delight in old woods in 

 which vegetable matter has accumulated and decayed, generally 

 on strong soil, so that immunity from dryness is indicated. I 

 have resorted to a plan which is within the reach of most 

 gardeners. I cover a space of ground in some half-shady spot, and 

 make it the receptacle for one season of leaves, short grass, and 

 a little stable manure. This is levelled when it accumulates to 

 the depth of from 18 inches to 2 feet, and a layer of soil spread 

 over it. In the second year this mass of vegetable refuse is 

 generally rotten, and forms an acceptable bed for Primroses, 

 Lily-of-the-Valley, and Hyacinths. Primula denticulata grows 

 luxuriously on one of these prepared beds, and one of the gems of 

 the early season, Primula rosea, thrives in a position that supplies 

 congenial support and adequate moisture. 



Only next to the Primrose in interest, and of very striking 

 beauty, is the Anemone. The wild form, A. nemorosa, like the 

 Primrose, delights in the shelter of woods, and grows freely in 

 leaf soil, particularly when it rests on light gritty loam. Al- 

 though other forms prefer open spots, there is a general prefer- 

 ence shown by all the family for light friable loams enriched with 

 thoroughly decomposed cow manure or leaf soil. I have found 

 sea sand very useful in mixing with the soil of this locality, 

 which is of a heavy nature. Anemone coronaria affords many 

 valuable varieties for the spring garden ; both single and double 

 forms are strikingly handsome, and by planting early, flowers 

 may be obtained throughout the spring months. The south of 



