1874.] 
GARDEN WORK FOR SEPTEMBER. 
213 
flowers are purplish red in colour, not ao full as those of the preceding kinds, and having an 
orange-buff base to the centre petals. Occasionally it throws up a short polyanth stem, but 
this in no way detracts from its beauty and usefulness. 
Last, but not least, are the double crimson kinds, of which there appear to be two 
distinct forms. One I call the Bright Crimson ; the flowers are of moderate size, full, and 
richly coloured; the foliage is long rounded at the top, but having long narrow stalks. This 
kind is well known as “ miffy,” and requires more than ordinary attention in its cultivation. 
The remaining one I call the Deep Crimson, as the flowers are of a deep velvety hue, 
and the edges of the petals are distinctly marked with minute white specks. My first acquaint¬ 
ance with this beautiful kind was at South Kensington on April 15th last, when a handful of 
large richly-coloured blooms were shown by Mr. Watered, of the Knap Hill Nursery, and 
excited much attention. Since then I have been enabled to secure plants of it from Scotland, 
and having thus been able to compare it with the Bright Crimson, have concluded that they 
are two distinct kinds. . 
Percliance the publication of these notes will lead to the discovery of other 
kinds not here mentioned, but which may be in the possession of patient, careful 
collectors in divers parts of the country. Ireland seems to be the most favoured 
home of the double Primroses, and after that Scotland and the North of Eng¬ 
land. No doubt the comparatively cool and humid atmosphere that largely per¬ 
vades those parts of the kingdom, favours their growth, whilst the warm dry 
summers of the sunny South prove tjie reverse of encouraging. Under these 
latter conditions it behoves the possessors of double Primroses to secure for them 
during the summer months a little shade during the heat of the day, but especially 
a deeply-stirred and moderately rich soil, into which the roots can descend freely 
in search of moisture. Specially rare or “ miffy ” kinds deserve special care, and 
I find that these are best preserved in pots, which should be plunged in ashes 
under a north wall or fence. With the common kinds, such as the White or 
Lilac, I find no difficulty in growdng them in the open ground exposed to the 
full glare of the sun. How far in a deep clayey loam, such as is the soil here, 
the choicer kinds would thrive under the same conditions jemains to be seen, but 
whilst stocks of them are to be counted by dozens only, instead of by hundreds, 
I must be discreet, and grow them only where I find for them the conditions 
apparently most favourable for cultivation.— Alex. Dean, Bedfont.^ 
GAEDEN WORK FOE SEPTEMBER. 
FLOWERS. \ 
>HE recent rains have greatly improved the appearance of our parched flower- 
gardens, both as regards the growth of the plants, and the verdure of the 
turf. Flower-gardens being now at their best, the greatest vigilance is 
necessary to insure the requisite high keeping ; for without perfect neatness 
and order are attained, there always lacks that refinement of aspect which is 
so pleasing to the cultivated mind, and for which no amount of glitter can compen¬ 
sate. Frequently look over the beds, removing fading blooms, as well as every appear¬ 
ance of decay, and keeping the growth so regulated as to preserve proper proportions 
and regularity in the outlines of pattern designs. Clematis Jachnanni is now 
flowering in the greatest perfection, presenting masses of rich purple, unapproached 
in gorgeousness by any other plant, and should have the season of blooming pro¬ 
longed to the utmost, by repeated soakings of liquid manure ; this watering may 
be also beneficially extended to the roots of all plants that show signs of exhaus- 
* Abridged from the Gardeners ' Chronicle . 
