160 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
plant is said to have produced so much as to enable its owner to build a cottage with his profits. All the kinds 
of Polyanthus are considered florist’s flowers, and they require to be grown in a rich loamy soil, and to be freely 
exposed to the sun and air. The colour of the Polyanthus is always yellow and brown, and those flowers are 
most esteemed that have the limb of the corolla flat, and its margin marked with a clear yellow line. The 
anthers of the stamens should also completely hide the pistil, as, when the stigma projects, which it does 
occasionally, like the head of a large pin, the flower is called pin-eyed, and is considered worthless. There is 
a double Polyanthus ; but it is considered of little value in comparison with the finely marked single kinds. 
5.— PRIMULA AMiENA, Bieb. THE PURPLE CAUCASIAN PRIMROSE. 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag., t. 3252 ; and our A?. 2, in PL 93. 1 ere subulate ; Calj x ovate-oblong, angular ; limb of the corolla smooth ; 
Si'EciFic Character. — Leaves spathulate-oblong, rugose, crenately tube longer than that of the calyx, 
denticulate, hairy, and woolly below ; umbels many-flowered ; involu- ) 
Description, &c. — This very handsome species is a native of Mount Caucasus, whence it was introduced 
by Mr. Goldie, of Ayr. It is quite hardy in British gardens, producing masses of flowers if grown in a rich 
loamy soil. It may be propagated by seeds or by division of the roots. 
6.— PRIMULA AURICULA, Lin. THE AURICULA. 
Engraving. — Our fig. 2, in PL 94. 
Specific Character. — Leaves obovate, smooth, serrated ; scape many-flowered, about equal in length to the leaves. 
Description, &c. — The Auricula is a native of the Alps of Switzerland, and the mountainous countries 
adjoining it, whence it was called, when first introduced in 1596, the Mountain or French Cowslip. It was also 
called Bear’s-ear or Oricola, whence the modern name of Auricula. It very soon became a favourite garden 
flower ; in 1 629, Parkinson enumerates 20 varieties, which he says are the best, though “ many other varieties 
were to be found with those who are curious conservers of these delights of nature.” The florists in the beginning 
of the last century were very particular in the culture of the Auricula ; and many elaborate directions have been 
given for preparing soil for the Auricula, adding to it bullock’s blood, sugar baker’s scum, and concentrated night- 
soil. The plants will, however, thrive in any rich, loamy soil, with a slight mixture of sand. They will, how- 
ever, grow in heath soil mixed with loam ; and this is what is usually given to them in the neighbourhood of 
Paris. Though the Auricula is quite hardy, all the choice varieties of it are grown in pots, in order that they 
may be more completely under the control of the cultivator. It is also necessary to keep tliem in frames, or 
under hand-glasses, to protect them from the rain, as that would destroy the powdery bloom, the preservation of 
which is a desideratum among florists. The Auricula is propagated by division of the root, or by cutting off" 
slips with a portion of the root attached, and putting them at once into small pots. The season for performing 
the operation is soon after the flowers have gone ofif. Auriculas, when grown as florist’s flowers, have almost 
innumerable names ; but they are all divided into three classes, viz., those with a green border and a white centre ; 
those with a grey border and a white centre, and those which have only one colour, which last are called seifs. 
Like the Polyanthus, no Auricula is valued that has a pin-eye. 
