THE AMATEUR’S FLOWER GARDEN. 
153 
and in either case grow the plants in a frame nntil large enough 
to plant out. Self-sown seedlings occur abundantly in the 
border where plants have flowered, and may be planted out 
in September or October. It is an important matter in 
managing the seed-pans not to allow the soil to become dry, 
for that is fatal to the germination of the seed. The varieties 
most prized are those with laced flowers, the ground colour 
being dark crimson, maroon, or black, and the lacing con¬ 
sisting of regular marginal bands of various shades of yellow 
or orange. The named varieties grown in pots for exhibition 
are of this class. The “ giant ” polyanthus are the most 
showy for the border and the parterre, being of all colours, 
and in many cases extremely beautiful. The following distinct 
varieties are particularly desirable :— Double yellow , hose-in - 
hose, double ivhile, and golden plover. 
Polygonatum (Solomon’s Seal).—The common P. multi - 
forum will thrive in the shady border in the worst of soil, 
where scarcely any other plant can live, provided it is planted 
with a little care in the first instance, and then left undis¬ 
turbed for years. The variegated-leaved variety, P. m. fob 
var., is exquisitely beautiful, and is much grown as a forced 
plant for exhibition. Easily increased by division when 
beginning to grow, in spring. 
Potentilla (Cinquefoil).—A few of these claim notice on 
account of their showy flowers, but the genus is, as a whole, 
of comparatively small importance. The best, however, are 
but a short while gay, and all of them tend to untidiness in 
their mode of growth. Plant in the full sun ; any good soil 
will do. P. atrosanguinea is a fine plant, with deep crimson 
flowers. P. Nepalensis has scarlet or purplisli-red flowers. 
Several fine hybrids of these have been obtained, the best of 
which are Aurora plena, Grandiflora coccinea , Perfecta plena , 
Sudbury Gem , William Rollison , Aurantiaca. 
Primula. —Under Auricula, and Polyanthus, and Prim¬ 
rose, three sections of this genus have been disposed of apart 
from the present selection of distinctive species. The alpine 
primulas are well adapted for border culture, if care be taken 
to plant them in damp shady spots, on mellow, gritty soil, 
elevated somewhat above the general level. Some few of 
them, however, must be grown under glass to be safe, and 
for such the alpine house or frame is the proper home. In 
any case, whether planted out or in pots, it is of the first 
