January 12, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
83 
Orchid Committee. 
Chairman. —Veitch, H. J., F.L.S., Royal Exotic Nursery, 
Chelsea, S.W. 
Vice Chairmen, —Lawrence, Sir Trevor, Bart., M.P., 57, Princes 
Gate, S.W.; Masters, Maxwell T., M.D., P.R.S., Mount Avenue, 
Ealing, W.; Schroder, Baron, The Dell, Staines, 
Secretary. —O’Brien, James, West Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill. 
Ballantine, H., The Dell Gardens, Staines. 
Bond, T. W., Elstead House Gardens, Godaiming. 
Bowring, J. C., Forest Farm, Windsor. 
Brooman-White, R., Ardarroch, Garelochead, N.B. 
Burberry, H. A., Highbury Gardens, Birmingham, 
Burbidge, F. W., Trinity College Botanic Garden, Dublin. 
Crawshay, De Barri, Rosefield, Sevenoaks. 
Cookson, Norman C., Oakwood, Wylam-on-Tyne. 
Courtauld, Sydney, Booking Place, Braintree. 
Denton, J. Bailey, Orchard Court, Stevenage. 
Douglas, J., Great Gearies, Ilford. 
Gabriel, J. T,, 6, Palace Road, Streatham Hill, 
Handley, Rev. B,, 19, Royal Crescent, Bath. 
Haywood, T. B., Woodhatch Lodge, Reigate. 
Hill, E., Tring Park Gardens, Tring. 
Ingram, C., 86, Onslow Gardens, S.W. 
Kinleside, Rev, R, V. C., Sunbury House, Tunbridge Wells. 
Jaques, J., Waddesdon Manor Gardens, Aylesbury. 
Latham, W. B., Botanic Gardens, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 
Le Doux, G. R., Langton House, Bast Molesey. 
Lindsay, R., Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. 
Low, H., The Nurseries, Clapton, E. 
Lucas, C. J., Warnham Court, Horsham. 
Moon, E,, Cassiobridge, Watford. 
Pilcher, Charles, 84, Ringford Road, Wandsworth, S.W, 
Pollett, H. M., Fernside, Bickley, Kent. 
Sander, F., St, Albans. 
«mee, H. J., Wallington, Surrey. 
Statter, Thos., Stand Hall, Whitefield, Manchester. 
Tautz, F. G., Dibdin House, Hanger Hill, Ealing. 
White, W, lU., Burford Lodge Gardens, Dorking. 
Williams, H., Victoria Nurseries, Holloway, N. 
Narcissus Committee. 
Chairman. —Professor M. Foster, Sec. R.S., Shelford, Cambridge. 
Vice-Chairmen. —Baker, J. G., F.R.S., Royal Herbarium, Kew ; Dod, 
Rev. C. Wolley, Edge Hall, Malpas, Cheshire; Engleheart, Rev. 
George H., Appleshaw, Andover ; Wilk'i, Rev. W., Shirley Vicarage 
Croydon. 
Honorary Secretary, — Scrase-Dickens, C. R., Coolhurst Park, 
Horsham. 
Barr, P., 12, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C, 
Barr, W., 12, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C. 
Bennett-Poe, John T,, 29, Ashley Place, S.W. 
Bourne, Rev. S. E., Dunston Vicarage, Lincoln. 
Burbidge, F. W., Trinity College Gardens, Dublin. 
Clarke, Col. R. Trevor, Welton Place, Daventry. 
Collins, A., 39, Waterloo Road, S.E. 
Cowan, C. W., Valleyfield, Penicuick, Midlothian. 
Darlington, H. R., Cromdale, Marlboro’ Hill, Harrow. 
De GraafiE, S. A., Leyden, Holland. 
Elwes, H. J., F.L.S., Colesborne, Andoversford, Gloucestershire. 
Goldring, W., 52, Gloucester Road, Kew. 
Grosvenor, Lady H., 73, South Audley Street. 
Hartland, W. B., Ard-Cairn, Cork, 
Haydon, Rev. G. P., Hatfield Vicarage, Doncaster. 
Jekyll, Miss G., Munstead, Godaiming. 
Jenkins, E. H., Queen’s Road, Hampton Hill, S.W. 
Krelage, J. H., Haarlem, Holland. 
Leichtlin, Max, Baden-Baden. 
Llewelyn, Sir J. T. D., Bart., F.L.S., Penllergare, Swansea, 
MacMichael, Rev. C., Walpole Rectory, Wisbech, 
Marsh, Rev. T. H. Causton Rectory, Norfolk. 
Milne-Readhead, R,, Holden Clough, Bolton-by-Bowland, Clitheroe. 
Moore, F. W., Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin. 
Perry, Amos J., Stamford Road, Pags Green, Tottenham. 
Vilmorin, Henry L. De., Quai de la Megisserie, Paris. 
Walker, James, Ham Common, Surrey. 
Ware, Walter T., Inglescombe Nurseries, near Bath. 
Webster, A. D., F.B.S.B., Holydale, Keston, Kent. 
White, Miss, Alexandra College, Dublin. 
PROGKESS IN PRIMULAS. 
It would be difficult to write anything fresh about many flowers 
were they standing still, for references have been made to them by able 
pens “ many a time and oft ; ” but when the march of improvement 
still goes on it is not without interest to come back to them occasionally, 
if only for the sake of reporting progress. What of originality could 
be introduced, I wonder, into a dissertation in praise of Primulas were 
this consideration disregarded ? Their beauty has been described, their 
points of merit enlarged upon, their usefulness proclaimed in one 
unending chorus, idle, therefore, the attempt to say aught that is 
fresh about them without taking account of the past and present work 
of the hybridiser. When, however, this field is entered upon abundant 
material is found for comment. With the Primula there is no marking 
time, for even when after a long course of development the raw recruit 
has been turned into the smart cavalier, much polish remains to be 
put on. 
There is one fact which stands out as the most remarkable of all in 
connection with the marvellous improvement effected in Chinese 
Primulas, and it is their production from one species. We often talk 
loosely of hydridisation, but, properly speaking, our Primulas are not 
hybrids at all; they are cross-breds. Think what this means. In 
crossing distinct species we pave the way for variations, breaking up, as 
it were, certain lines of form and colouring which Nature has laid down, 
and consequently leaving no room for surprise if the disturbance finds 
expression in other ways than those aimed at when the hybridisation 
was effected. But variation by change of environment, by selection, 
and subsequently by cross-breeding, is a different thing, and the results 
are often such as astonish even the most experienced observer. Here 
Nature has not, so to speak, been thrown off her balance by the abrupt 
intermingling of different bloods. The capacity for improvement was 
inherent, not imparted, and what has been done is in no sense a creation, 
but simply a development of latent resources. 
The interest of this reflection deepens when an opportunity is pre¬ 
sented of seeing the best examples of the developing process side by 
side with their modest original, and it is only natural that this should 
add emphasis to any conception that may have been formed by reading 
alone. In the case of many plants the lesson is denied, for the (to us) 
primordial form has disappeared ; but in that of the Primula it may be 
learned by anyone who visits the nurseries of Messrs. Sutton & Sons at 
Reading, where such great work has been done in the improvement of 
this valuable flower. In the same house which shelters some of the 
most remarkable examples of their success, plants of the original Primula 
sinensis are blooming, and a striking contrast is presented between it 
and such magnificent varieties as Pearl, Purity, and Ruby King. For 
actual quality of flower it may be measured with, let us say, P. obconica, 
although quite distinct from that useful sort, and this will serve to 
indicate the great disparity between it and its brilliant offspring. It is 
not suggested that P. sinensis is devoid of beauty, very far from that. 
Its flowers are five-petalled, almost star-shaped, and of a delicate lilac- 
blush tint. The habit is neatness itself, and altogether the plant is so 
pleasing that if met with for the first time it would certainly invite 
comment and attention. But as it is, it is impossible to dissociate it 
from the varieties which have sprung from it, and instead of studying 
its points of merit the natural impulse is to seek out resemblances to the 
improved forms. In this connection it is interesting to note the varia¬ 
tions in both foliage and flowers ; even in a small batch of plants 
there are distinct shades of colour, although no marked divergences, 
and in the leaves there are clear indications of variation from the 
palmate to the fern-like form. So far as hybridisation is concerned it is 
curious to note that hitherto P. sinensis has refused to mate with any 
other species. 
A new interest is added to the inspection of the choice varieties 
raised at Reading after thus making acquaintance with the parent 
form. Cross-breeding still goes actively on, and the results are, in 
many cases, as unexpected as they are interesting. The erection of 
three splendid new houses has permitted of the further enlargement 
of the previously extensive collection, this step having been rendered 
necessary by the increasing demand for seed. The fresh structures are 
models of design, material, and workmanship. One of them is devoted 
to a trial of all the varieties offered, together with many others, so that 
not only are errors in the supply of seed guarded against, but every 
claimant for attention is tested on equal terms with the standard sorts. 
From a cultural point of view the collection is almost beyond praise. 
The thousands of plants are full of health and vigour, and although 
there are natural variations in habit and size, the general characteristics 
are compactness of growth, broad stout leafage, bold trusses borne well 
up above the foliage like the flowers of a good Begonia, large, substantial, 
well-formed flowers, and clear, decided colours. It is impossible to 
conceive a fastidiousness so great as to be unable to find abundant food 
for pleasure and satisfaction in a collection of such extent, diversity, 
and beauty. 
The single palmate-leaved varieties number some of the loveliest 
Primulas in cultivation. Pearl is an old favourite, having been out 
since 1879 ; but it is still one of the best, its fine truss and large, pure 
white, beautifully fringed flowers awakening deep admiration. Ruby 
King, another of the firm’s early triumphs, indeed the one which first 
brought their work amongst Primulas into prominence, is also in the 
front rank yet; and taking into consideration its free blooming and rich 
distinct colour, it may be expected to remain there for many years to 
come. It was certificated in January, 1879. Giant Crimson and Giant 
White are fitting illustrations of the advance on the old varieties rubra 
and alba, while Brilliant Rose and Giant Reading Pink are perfect 
examples of their own shade of colour. The latter is the result of years 
of work. It is a magnificent variety, having a noble truss and fringed 
flowers of great size. Reading Blue is not only rich in colour, but has 
the prevailing qualities of its associates. There are half a dozen Fern¬ 
leaved varieties of conspicuous excellence. First may be noted Purity, 
the Pearl of the section, with its large, pure white flowers and fine truss. 
The chaste blooms of this beautiful Primula are admirably shown up by 
the dark foliage. Snowdrift is particularly valuable on account of its 
rapid growth, earliness in blooming, and profusion. It is flowered in 
