34 
THB FLORIST AND POMOLOOIST. 
[ February, 
My wish in penning these few linos for the pages of the Florist, is to show 
that the distinctions between the Acaulis and Polyanth types is of the most 
limited character, excepting in so far as the true florists’ Polyanthus is concerned. 
Thus, if a Primrose is planted in thoroughly rich so*il, and maintained therein 
for a few years, it will not only change the colour of its blooms, but will push 
up occasionally the strong clustered flower-stems of the Polyanthus. The seed¬ 
lings from these same normal cultivated Primroses will, in like manner, yield 
permanent Polyanth or umbellate varieties, the produce of the very first sowing. 
I maintain that these facts fully confirm the common-sense view of the case. A 
Primrose is not a true Polyanthus of the florist’s standard, until it has assumed a 
permanent, fixed, non-sportive character. In four years from the original sowing 
of seeds of highly-cultivated normal Primroses, it is astonishing what colour and 
variety will be found amongst the seedlings. I have had not only orange- 
yellows, Indian-yellows, puce and maroon, striped, marmorated or blotched 
varieties, but during the last season I was-at Digswell I bloomed one of a lovely 
blue c6lour I It was a weak plant, however, and with all my care of it, under a 
forced removal I unfortunately lost it. 
I have said enough to show how interesting these simple cultivated specialities 
are, and what an amount of gratification they are capable of affording the amateur 
florist. I would make one more remark about the exhibition of Primroses, which 
are included in the Schedule of the Royal Horticultural Society. There are 
offered therein, for the spring of 1874, six prizes, for different exhibits, of the 
total value of 51s. I scarcely know how to designate such paltry prizes as 10s. 
and 7s. for 6 pots of well-grown distinct varieties. Personally I may say that 
were I to exhibit, though I live a very short distance from London, the cab-fare 
would swallow up ” my prize-money, even if I got the first prize. I am not an 
habitual grumbler, but when I contrast this offer, by this Society, with many of 
the other prizes offered in the same schedule, I am fain to say,—How can these 
things be ?— William Earley, Valentines. 
FRUIT-TREES FOR HEDGE-ROWS 
BETWEEN FIELDS ON FARMS, AND AS GROUPS IN PARKS AND PLEASUEE-OROUNDS. 
R driving through the country in any direction, one cannot but bo struck 
with the monotony and comparative worthlessness of Hedge-row Timber, 
which is usually pollarded, or cut into mop-headed scarecrows. The same 
sorts are repeated, mile after mile. It seems as if the planters had, in many 
cases, studied how to provide a maximum of injury to the cultivated fields, with a 
minimum of gain from the trees grown. And even where the timber is somewhat 
better, the sameness of the trees produces a sense of weariness, and one longs for 
a change, as a school-boy for his holidays. That change would be easily effected 
by the substitution of fruit-bearing for the usual timber trees used in hedge-rows. 
Rows of stately Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, Medlars, Mulberries, Quinces, 
Damsons would bring relief to the eye, as well as profit to the pocket, and plenty 
