32 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ February, 
inches apart, and ten inches in the rows. Make a sowing of Peas and 
Broad Beans at the beginning, and again towards the end of the month; earth 
up the Peas already sown when sufficiently advanced ; they may also be rodded at 
once, and if a few branches of evergreens are stuck on each side of the rows, the 
shelter from frost, and cold cutting winds will be beneficial. Plant out Cabbages 
from store beds, and make good all gaps in the autumn plantations. Towards 
the end of the month, if the weather be mild, plant Cauliflowers and Lettuces 
out of frames into warm sheltered situations. Ash-leaved Kidney Potatos may be 
planted on warm borders. Plant Garlic and Shallots in rows ten inches apart, 
and six inches in the rows. Make a fresh hot-bed for a batch of Asparagus roots ; 
very gentle heat is all that they require at this season. Cover up fresh batches 
of Sealcale and Rhubarb for succession.—M. Saul, Stourton. 
MACLEAN’S BEST OF ALL PEA. 
• 
HE seed lists are now beginning to pour in, and we gardeners are thinking 
about the kitchen wants for the incoming season. I would therefore bring 
under the notice of the readers of the Florist and Pomologist the above 
splendid production. Notwithstanding the numbers of new peas that 
have of late years appeared in seedsmen’s catalogues, there is not one more 
deserving of extensive cultivation, and to those who must have first-rate 
wrinkled marrows in their season, I believe Maclean’s Best of All will be found 
a great acquisition, and will, when better known, constitute one of our standard 
second-early or main-crop varieties. In growth it is robust and vigorous, and 
like all Dr. Maclean’s peas, short-jointed—a valuable point, in my estimation. 
The pods are very large, dark green, completely covering the haulm, and filled 
with from eight to nine fine peas, of a most delicious flavour. In height, it grew 
with me last year, about three and a half feet.—J. McIndoe, Bishopthorpe, York. 
PKIMULA JAPONICA. 
HINKINGr it may interest your readers to learn something of the habit and 
growth of this magnificent Primula , we beg to forward a few extracts 
from letters received from Mr. Kramer, of Yokohama, Japan, who 
has at various times forwarded to us seeds and plants of this species. 
He thus writes respecting it:— 
“ If the drawing in the Gardeners’ Chronicle is a true one, Primula japonica must be very 
much finer at home than it ever is seen here. A cold climate and good cultivation have, no 
doubt, great influence, for its native country is said to be the island of Yeza (November, 1871). 
It is generally found growing on the banks of streams and water-courses in yellow loam. I have 
seen it growing from 2^-ft. to 3 ft. high, with six or seven tiers of flowers—a magnificent 
sight. In sowing the seed it is very important to know that as this Primula is not a native of 
a warm country it requires no artificial heat for germinating, and that frequently the seed does 
not germinate until the next spring; in fact, the latter is the rule. I would therefore advise 
that the seed should be sown immediately, and left for at least six months undisturbed 
(June, 1870). I have now some boxes which have stood for two years, and this year there are 
more plants coming up than even in the first year (May, 1871).” 
From this it appears that the seed takes a long time to germinate ; that a cool, 
