164 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ July, 
Primrose should never be allowed to lose its foliage, and its conditions of suc¬ 
cessful culture are, in summer, a deep, cool soil, shade, and plenty of moisture. 
Choice kinds, however, are safest in pots, plunged in a bed of ashes, under a north 
wall or shading of some kind. It is a noteworthy fact that whilst the seed of 
the Polyanthus never produces pure Primroses, seed of the Primrose will in¬ 
variably produce a considerable per-centage of the Polyanthus ; and thus I have 
obtained out of the Primrose some very novel and pleasing varieties, that other¬ 
wise might never have seen the light. A remarkably pretty shade of colour, rosy- 
lilac, allied to a Polyanthus flower of fine form, and with a perfect thrum-eye, has 
resulted this season, and will in time make a fine companion variety to the Bride^ 
Viceroy^ Jessie^ Blade Knight^ and other good seifs. Still, the Primrose is rather 
in advance of the Polyanthus in the production of flowers having fine form and 
rich hues of colour, but improvements in the “ fancy ” section will, no doubt, soon 
obliterate the disparity. 
The Northern florists, who look yet upon the Polyanthus only with a strictly 
laced vision, are hardly prepared to admit the “fancy” section of the Polyanthus 
into the select collections of florists’ flowers, but when once admitted, the gold- 
laced section must look to its laurels. The former give larger pips, bolder trusses, 
greatly varied colours and markings, and are, therefore, exceedingly attractive. 
If to these features are added, erect flower-stalks, fine form of bloom, and 
thorough adaptability for pot-culture, it will be difficult to deny them, under the 
head of “ Fancies ” and “ Selfs,” admission into the select circle. Beyond so 
much that is purely technical, however, there lies the fact that for spring decora¬ 
tive purposes the Primrose family is sure to remain a popular and indispensable 
favourite.— Alex. Dean, Bedfont, 
NOTES ON NEWEE POTATOS. 
« HE fact that a second large exhibition of Potatos is to take place at the 
Alexandra Palace in September next, serves as an occasion to call atten- 
tion to some of the newer varieties of more recent introduction. What 
with American novelties, and the productions of English raisers, the 
number of new varieties of the Potato is becoming large, and information 
respecting them cannot but'prove useful. 
We are undoubtedly witnessing a decline in the rage for new and high- 
priced American varieties.' When first introduced to England, Snowf alce realised 
12 s. per pound, and A/jViCf nearly as much; but the new variety sold 
in England this year for the first time, was to be had at os. per pound. The 
American varieties are not' so much in demand for planting; they have dis¬ 
appointed growers; it was thought that they would improve in quality, but this 
is not the general experience. '* The very best of all is Snoivjlake^ a very fine 
second early pebble-shaped kidney, the flesh white, of good quality, and a large 
cropper. This is a fine exhibition variety also, as the tubers are large, handsome, 
and smooth. Thorhurds Paragon proved of a promising character, on the occasion 
