PRIMULA CONFERENCE. 



195 



experimented with the old double crimson variety by planting it in 

 a low situation and watering it freely almost every evening with 

 liquid manure. I never saw such remarkable foliage and flowers as 

 I obtained, and if we can only treat them in low situations, which are 

 damp, and give them constant moisture overhead, we should be far 

 more successful than we are. We are not sufficiently generous with 

 them, if I may use the term, but if we give them more liberal overhead 

 moisture — it is specially true with regard to that particular plant — 

 we should do much better. As to the deciduous species, these we 

 can use as freely as we like. It is the evergreen species with which 

 we find very much difficulty. They collect moisture and retain it to 

 their own destruction. We miss the snow covering, and the alterna- 

 tions of atmosphere and climate to which Mr. Elwes referred are some 

 of the difficulties we have to overcome. I am sure that if Mr. Elwes' 

 suggestion could be carried out, with regard to refrigerating or cooling 

 the atmosphere in the house now about to be erected in Edinburgh, 

 we should be very much more successful than we are at present. 



The resolution was carried unanimously. 



Mr. Wilks : I think before we separate we ought also to pass 

 a very hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman for coming up from 

 Wales and taking the chair to-day. Of course we all know he is 

 intensely interested in Primulas, and people will always go a very long 

 distance out of their way to get a sight of anything they are interested 

 in. At the same time I am quite sure it was not simply that which 

 brought him all the way up from Wales to be amongst us to-day, 

 but it was the feeling that as an authority upon Primulas he would 

 be able to fill the chair and to give you some enjoyment from his own 

 experience. He has done so, and we are extremely grateful to him 

 for having helped us in this way. I move a very hearty vote of thanks 

 to Sir John for his kindness in taking the chair to-day. 



The resolution was carried with acclamation. 



The Chairman : I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Wilks, 

 and to you all. I think that a man without a fad is a very poor 

 creature. 



The proceedings then terminated. 



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