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PBIMROSES AND THEIR CULTIVATION IN THE 

 OPEN AIR. 



By Rev. C. Wolley-Dod, M.A., F.R.H.S. 



[Read April 22, 1890.] 



The subject of Primroses and their cultivation was nearly 

 exhausted at the Conference of 1886. The foremost place was 

 then given to the history of the Auricula ; it is easier to discuss 

 particular species than to speak collectively of the whole genus. 

 Some things, however, hold true of all of them : — 



1. The seed comes up best when sown as soon as ripe. The 

 longer it is kept the slower it germinates ; sometimes it takes a 

 whole year or more. 



2. All like shelter ; none do well on a very exposed surface, 

 though some like a sunny aspect. 



3. All hate drought in summer. I know none which do well 

 on a dry, sandy soil. 



4. They thrive best when the roots begin as nearly as 

 possible to the base of the leaves, and the rootstock is reduced 

 to the least possible quantity. 



The importance to cultivators of noticing the formation of 

 the root in each species was fully pointed out by Dr. Masters at 

 the Conference four years ago ; and their habit, both above and 

 below ground, varies very much. Between such kinds as 

 P. farinosa, which contracts itself in winter into a compact bud 

 of leaves, no larger than an acorn, the roots all dying away, or 

 just enough being left to anchor the bud to its place, and the 

 rootstock being reduced to a shallow cone inside the base of the 

 leaves — between this habit and that of the Californian P. 

 suffrutescens, which branches above ground from a thin stem, 

 after the manner of a miniature shrub, there is every gradation 

 of difference, which must be taken into account in the mode of 

 propagation and cultivation. 



For general purposes of garden ornament the common 

 English Primrose, in its single and double coloured varieties, 

 and its Polyanthus forms and hybrids, is worth all others 

 together. In strong soils it is necessary to pull the plants of 

 these to pieces, and to remove all the old roots at least every 

 other year, as they form such thick masses of hard rootstock, 



