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CHINESE PRIMULA. 
THE CHINESE PRIMULA. 
About the latter end of February or the beginning of March 
I sow my Primula seed, in wide-mouthed pots or pans, in soil 
consisting of equal portions of peat, loam, and leaf-mould, with 
a moderate portion of silver sand, well mixed together and rub¬ 
bed to pieces with the hands, to make it fine enough to sow the 
seed in; previously well draining the pots or pans by placing a 
little moss over the drainage to prevent the soil from mixing 
with it, and then filling them to within half an inch of the brim, 
merely leveling the soil, or slightly pressing it to form a level 
surface to sow the seed in, which should be barely covered. 
Then place them in the stove near the glass, being careful to 
throw a piece of paper over the pans or pots to prevent the sun 
drying the soil before the young plants make their appearance, 
after which it may be discontinued. As soon as they are large 
enough to transplant I prick them off into pans as many as 
may be required, and about the beginning or middle of May they 
will be ready to repot singly into small pots, using the soil 
recommended above, but not on any account to be sifted; then 
place them in a close frame for a day or two, until they begin to 
make fresh roots, when the supply of air may be increased daily, 
until you are able to give them the full current of it, being careful 
to shade them from the mid-day sun. Towards the beginning of 
July they will require shifting into forty-eight sized pots, and 
afterwards let them be returned to the cold frame and treated as 
before, pinching the blooming-stems out as they make their ap¬ 
pearance. By the middle of August they will require their final 
shifting, the strongest into twenty-four, and the smaller ones into 
thirty-two sized pots. These will be handy for decorating a 
small stand or vase in the house, if such be required; they should 
be returned to the cold frame again and treated as before, being 
careful not to over-water them or let them want for it. About 
the latter end of October they are removed to the greenhouse, 
and placed on a shelf near the glass, where they will get plenty 
of light and air. About this time I discontinue pinching out the 
blooming-stems, and am always careful not to water into the 
hearts of the plants. G. Stanley. 
