March.'] TERENNIALS. 43 
America to see ; it is so splendid." Most of the species de- 
light in a rich, light, sandy loam. When the plants become 
large, they ought to be divided, and planted in fresh ground. 
Primulas, Primrose. To this genus belong the celebrated 
Cowslip, Oxslip, Primrose, and the esteemed Auricula. 
The double varieties of Primrose have originated from P. 
ritlt/dris. These are such as carry their flowers on separate 
pedicles, rising from the root on a small stem. The double 
varieties are desirable for their beauty, but require the pro- 
tection of a frame during winter. They are in colour red, 
white, yellow, lilac, purple, and crimson. P. elation is the 
Oxslip, from which all the Polyanthuses have been grown. 
They are in variety innumerable, and are those whose flowers 
are in umbels, on a scape or flower-stalk, rising from three 
to nine inches. The rules for judging of their merits are 
wholly artificial, agreed on from time to time by florists. 
The one that is the leading beauty this j^ear would, in a few 
years, be fur in the rear. The principal character is that 
the corolla is not notched or fringed ; the colours pure and 
distinct, not running into one another ; the tube small ; the 
eye round, and a little prominent. Being surrounded with 
white, and the ground purple, is a fine character. P. auri- 
cula. Prom this the highly esteemed varieties have ori- 
ginated. The cultivated auricula has many admirers, both 
for its exquisite beauty and fragrance. For the criterion of 
a fine flower, see April. There are several other species 
worthy of a situation, such as P. cortusoides, P. dentijlbra, 
P. suaveolens, P. decora, with P. scotica and P. farinbsa, 
both small, neat species. A shady situation agrees best with 
them; and they require loamy soil, free from any kind of 
manure, except it be fully decomposed. The leaves of P. 
veris have been recommended for feeding silk-worms. 
Plumbago Latpantca, Lady Larpants, Lead-wort, dark- 
blue, flowering from July till frost ; a very great acquisition 
to the flower-garden; will require to be covered in winter in 
the Eastern and Northern States. 
Potcntillas are similar to the strawberry in habit and ap- 
pearance. P. nepalensis, or formbsa, has rose-coloured 
flowers; P. atropurpiirca ; P. Russelliclna, scarlet; P. Bbp- 
woodiana, buff and scarlet; and P. sjjlendens, yellow, with 
superb leaves. These are the finest of the genus, and flower 
from May to September. It will be well to protect them with a 
