172 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
and only occupies about half the time upon the hush that the ripe fruit 
does, it does not exhaust the plant; and if the caterpillar can be kept down 
the plants will go on fruiting for a great many years, for the Gooseberry plant 
is long-lived, and remains a stunted shrub, although never pruned. It is 
less than the Currant in size, and considerably longer lived. It seems as 
if it could not aspire like the smooth barked Currants, having to guard 
itself with pointed armour, which it has to manufacture as it goes on. The 
subject only wants to be named, and the line of distinction drawn between 
the culture for ripe fruit and the culture for green, and the work will get 
forward in due time. It is sound practical advice, and no one will be 
disappointed that gives the thing a fair and honest trial. 
Salford. A. Forsyth. 
PRIMULA CORTUSOIDES AMCENA. 
This beautiful hardy herbaceous perennial was introduced from Japan 
by Mr. J. G. Veitcli, and was noticed by the late Dr. Lindley in the follow¬ 
ing terms :—“ Among the pretty things from Japan brought home by Mr. 
J. G. Veitch, were seeds of a Primrose of striking beauty, with leaves 
something like those of P. sinensis in colour and texture, and with trusses 
of flowers rivalling in colour the brilliant Azalea amoena. Weak plants 
of it having blossomed, it proves to be a glorious form of the old forgotten 
Primula cortusoides, the delight of our boyhood, because not only of its 
singular beauty, but because it was not miffy, like other northern Primroses. 
Two forms of it have been raised—namely, amcena, with flowers of the 
richest crimson, and twice as large as those of the original plant; and 
striata, with smaller flowers of a delicate pink colour, striped with lines of 
crimson. This plant must have a great future, for in the hands of such 
growers as we now have, it is almost certain to break into new colours, and 
to assume new forms and proportions. It is evidently as hardy as a hedge 
Primrose, for it has been found wild, not only in Dauria and Japan, but in 
many parts of Mantchuria, flowering in May and June, near the rivers 
Amoor and Schilha, the most rigorous of climates.” ( Gardeners' Chronicle.) 
Since the above remarks were published the plant has gone on increasing 
in strength and beauty, till now it may, without the least exaggeration, be 
designated as one of the finest of hardy flowering perennials. The figure 
annexed gives a fair idea of its form and general character, but none what¬ 
ever of the rich colouring of its flowers. 
There are three very distinct varieties of this plant already known in 
cultivation—namely, alba, with pure white blossoms ; grandijiora, with large, 
drooping, concave, lilac-purple blossoms; and albida, with greyish white 
drooping blossoms. All of these are very beautiful, but none, perhaps, sur¬ 
pass in beauty the original form, with its large flowers of a deep magenta rose. 
Mr. Fleming, of Cliveden, has borne testimony to the hardiness and effec¬ 
tiveness of this Primrose in the remarks which we here quote to complete 
our brief history of the plant:—“ We have had plants of it out for the last 
two winters, and it formed this spring one of the most charming beds we 
have had. The first plant was sent to us by Mr. Yeitcli in the autumn of 
1864, in order to try its usefulness as a spring decorative plant, and we 
have had it growing outside since the summer of 1865, or as soon as we 
could get a duplicate; but either for the early spring borders or in-doors it 
is a great acquisition. Our practice has been to remove the plants, after 
blooming, to a north border, where they are planted in a good mixture of 
