CHINESE PRIMULAS. 



103 



This gentleman observes ' that it is generally considered as very 

 shy of producing seed, but that he always has sufficient, and 

 remarks that impregnation is assisted by blowing into the flower. 

 He treats it as a very hardy greenhouse plant, says it thrives 

 best in rich loam with a large proportion of sand, and requires to 

 be well watered, but not over the plant, as it is apt to rot at the 

 crown. It is rarely out of bloom, but is in its greatest beauty in 

 the winter and spring months.' 



"In the present month (March 1825), at the Eoyal Horticul- 

 tural Society's establishment at Chiswick, we were delighted 

 with seeing a large collection of these plants under glass, in the 

 front of one of the houses. When viewed in this manner, 

 assembled many together, they are seen to much greater advan- 

 tage than in detached individuals." 



It cannot fail to be a great satisfaction to many to see how at 

 this early date the Royal Horticultural Society was doing an 

 excellent work in testing and acclimatising new plants from 

 foreign sources. 



Another very interesting reference to the Chinese Primula is 

 found in the first volume of the Gardener's Magazine, part 1, 

 1826, where, amongst " Foreign Notes," is the following, taken 

 from the "Annals of the Linnean Society of Paris," March 

 1825 :— 



" P. sinensis. — This plant is greatly prized in France and 

 the Netherlands, where, under glass, without fire heat, it flowers 

 abundantly the whole year." 



Again in the same volume, under the still familiar title of 

 "Calls at Nurseries,", we find the following: "Lee's Nursery, 

 Feb. 16, 1825. — In the heath-house a great number of species 

 are under cultivation and in flower ; but in this nursery, as 

 everywhere else, the most conspicuous plant in flower is P. 

 sinensis.'" This notice is also accompanied by an engraving of 

 the plant as then growing in Mr. Lee's nursery. 



Then, again, in the Horticultural Begister for 1833, I find 

 the following note by Mr. Thomas Upton, from Alton Gardens, 

 February 22 : " This plant, the Chinese Primula, was intro- 

 duced into this country in 1820, and from its free-blooming 

 habits and splendid appearance in the winter months, when 

 under good cultivation, is deserving of the interest of every lover 

 of plants ; " and then follow some cultural notes. 



