108 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The following year we introduced : — ■ 



1880. Pearl. 



1881. Beading Pink, Eosy Queen, fern-leaved, Double Lilac. 

 The next year we offered 



1882. Williams's alba magnifica, remarkable for the perfect 

 frimbriation of the petals, but not grown so much as it 

 would otherwise be, because the calyx is of an abnormal 

 size, and of such vigorous growth that the corolla falls 

 from the plant somewhat prematurely. After this we 

 sent out 



1884. Princess Beatrice, Beading Scarlet, Beading Blue, Snow- 

 drift, fern-leaved. 



1885. Gipsy Queen, a white fern-leaved variety, with leaf- 

 stalks almost black. 



1886. Giant Lilac, Double Scarlet (First-class Certificate, B.H.S.), 

 Double Bose (First-class Certificate, B.H.S.). 



1887. Moss-curled, " white " and " lilac." These varieties showed 

 a very distinct break in the form of the foliage. 



1888. Blue, fern-leaved ; Double Blue (First-class Certificate, 

 B.H.S.) ; Double Carmine ; Double White, fern-leaved ; 

 Double Blue, fern-leaved (First-class Certificate, B.H.S.) ; 

 Single Blue, fern-leaved. 



1889. Giant White, Giant Crimson, Double Crimson. 



As I mentioned before, while we have been raising and 

 introducing the varieties above named, other florists have like- 

 wise introduced many valuable varieties, some remarkable for 

 their brilliant colours, and others for extraordinary vigour and 

 robust growth, combined with massive flowers. 



Cultivation. 



Although a true perennial, it is generally admitted that the 

 best results can be obtained by treating the Chinese Primula as an 

 annual or biennial. The best season of the year for sowing is from 

 March to May, and, under favourable conditions of atmosphere 

 and temperature, the earlier varieties will begin to show masses 

 of bloom about the end of September or beginning of October ; 

 and by a judicious selection of sorts the blooming period may be 

 extended till late in the spring. 



It will be found, as a rule, that the more robust types, bearing 



