NOTES ON PRIMULA DEORUM, SHORTIA UNIFLORA, &c. 35 



side, partly open to the west, in a mixture of peat and loam, but I have 

 recently transplanted the latter on the east side in peat alone. The last- 

 named plant has not bloomed very satisfactorily, having only six blooms 

 this year, but the colour is a fine bright rose, and it is showing signs of 

 improvement under the new conditions. 



I have not protected the Shortias, and a rainy and damp winter evi- 

 dently suits them, the subject of the illustration (now about one foot 

 across) being this spring much finer than previously, with some 27 blooms 

 of lj inch diameter. 



The beauty and interest of S. uniflora by no means terminate with 

 the flowering season. Up to 1902 I observed that the autumn and 

 winter foliage tints were not so pronounced as I had seen in S. galacifolia, 

 but for the last two years— coinciding with the greatly increased vigour of 

 the plant — the position has been reversed, and from August to the new 

 growth in spring the leaves are of a brilliant red, most beautifully veined 

 and shaded" Indeed, altogether the plant is one of the most charming 

 objects on the rockery it has ever been my good fortune to grow. 



The illustration speaks for itself, and, I think, very clearly demonstrates 

 that S. uniflora is quite distinct from S. galacifolia and other members 

 of the Diapensiaccce. The more striking differences between it and the 

 North Carolina form are (1) the larger and more expanded blooms ; 

 (2) the broader leaves, which seem somewhat more prostrate ; (3) the 

 more prominent veins in the leaves ; (4) and the shorter flower-stalk of 

 S. uniflora. 



I have not, as yet, succeeded in raising seedlings, and the appearance 

 of the seeds I have gathered, prior to this year, did not make me very 

 hopeful of any result. 



Inquiries made in 1902 led me to believe that the true .$'. uniflora 

 was then extremely rare, and I fear that the interim has not materially 

 increased the number of plants in cultivation, as, though there have been 

 importations, they seem to have succumbed very rapidly. I had a few 

 sent me by the Yokohama Nursery Company by parcel post via Canada 

 (which I have no reason to think were other than the true plant though 

 they have not bloomed), and they reached me at the end of February 

 last, admirably packed and looking very fresh, with long non-fibrous roots, 

 which I should surmise from their appearance had been growing in a 

 damp, deep, perhaps mossy situation. The latent vitality and reserve 

 material in these plants must have been very considerable, for the great 

 majority, until the end of May, looked as if they would grow. Since then, 

 however, they have with one exception gradually collapsed ; but I see no 

 reason why plants could not be established in pots at home by our good 

 friends the Japanese — amongst the most skilled gardeners in the world — 

 and sent hither by sea. 



As I have not had opportunities of comparing notes with growers of 

 this Shortia, I am at a loss to suggest why my plant has succeeded so 

 well where the great majority have failed, also bearing in mind that 

 the correct treatment for Northumberland will probably be incorrect 

 treatment for Kent ; but I have indicated how mine are grown, and I do 

 not think they would long exist if baked in the sun without very adequate 

 moisture. 



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