January 7, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
201 
The above has been posted 
to all customers, another copy 
will be forwarded on appli¬ 
cation to any who have not 
yet received one. 
SEE DS! SE E D S ! ! 
CHARLES TURNER’S 
Descriptive Catalogue of Seeds 
for the Garden and Farm is NOW BEADY, and maybe 
had free on application. 
THE ROYAL NURSERIES, SLOUGH. 
A 92 PAGE 
CATALOGDE, 
EMBELLISHED WITH 
109 ENGRAVINGS, 
Many of which, like the Flowers they illustrate, are 
original, consisting exclusively of 
FLOWER SEEDS. 
I have much pleasure in announcing that my 
new CATALOGUE OF FLOWER SEEDS is just 
finishing, and will, as received from the printers, he 
posted to my customers, who will doubtless welcome it 
as a valuable catalogue for reference, and to whom, 
I am sure, it will prove specially instructive and 
attractive. Considering that its pages are devoted to 
Flower Seeds only, it is, perhaps, not too much to 
claim that it is the largest catalogue of these ever 
published, and includes in its varied columns very 
many species and varieties which can be procured from 
Tottenham only ; and, while desirous to introduce a 
large amount of stuff not generally known, I have, as 
is my wont, had due and proper regard to the fact that, 
as a rule, buyers do not care for specialities unless they 
are distinct and effective. All the novelties and 
varieties appearing in this catalogue claim such a 
distinction. _ 
Copies may be bad, gratis and post free, 
upon application. 
THOMAS S. WARE, 
HALE FARM NURSERIES , 
TOTTENHAM,LONDON. 
NOW READY, 
CARTERS’ 
Send One Shilling: for a Catalogue, and deduct 
this sum when ordering. 
ROYAL SEEDSMEN BY SEALED WARRANTS. 
S HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON. 
National Chrysanthemum Society, Royal 
Aquarium, Westminster. 
T HE MID-WINTER EXHIBITION will 
be held on WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY, JANUARY' 
11th and 12th. Chrysanthemums, Cyclamens, Primulas, 
Solanums, &c., &c. Miscellaneous exhibits specially invited. 
Schedules and all particulars of WILLIAM HOLMES, Hon. 
Sec., Frampton Park Nurseiies, Hackuey. 
Next Week's Engagements. 
Monday, January 9th.—Sale of Lily Bulbs from Japan at 
Stevens’ Rooms. 
Tuesday, January 10th. — Royal Horticultural Society: Fruit 
and Floral Committees at 11 a.m.; General Meeting of the 
Fellows at 12 noon. 
Wednesday, January 11th.—National Chrysanthemum Society’s 
Mid-winter Show at the Royal Aquarium (two days). 
Sale of Fruit Trees, Roses, &e. at Stevens’ Rooms. Sale of 
Lily Bulbs, Roses, &c. at Protheroe & Morris's Rooms. 
Thursday, January 12th.—Sale of Orchids at Stevens’ Rooms. 
Friday, January 13th. —Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institu¬ 
tion : Annual Meeting at 3 p.m., Dinner at 6 p.m. Sale of 
Orchids at Protheroe & Morris's Rooms. 
Saturday, January 14th.—Sale of Fruit Trees, Roses, Shrubs, 
&c. at Stevens’ Rooms. Sale of Plants, Roses, Lilies, &c. 
at Protheroe & Morris’s Rooms. 
FOR INDEX TO CONTENTS SEE P. 302. 
Gardening is the purest of human pleasures, and the greatest 
refreshment to the spirit of man.”— Bacon. 
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1888. 
The Chinese Primrose. —Like to the progress 
of the fabled tortoise, the progression of the 
Chinese Primrose from its original form to 
its present beautiful appearance has been 
slow and sure. Wherever there have been 
reversions—and these haunt the work of the 
hybridist and raiser continually—there has 
also been progress, until we have reached 
such perfection that it would seem as if we 
must cry, “Rest and he thankful.” To be 
grateful for all that has been accomplished 
is proper enough; hut to rest absolutely is 
impossible to the earnest florist, and as long 
as Chinese Primroses are with us so long 
will growers strive to improve them. In 
what direction should they labour, may, 
however, well he asked! Have we not 
wondrous variety in colour and markings of 
flowers; have we not size, form and sub¬ 
stance of the very best; have we not habit 
which seems to he perfection ; and, not the 
least, have we not robust constitution, which 
renders Chinese Primroses as easy to grow 
as are any other tender plants 1 Any culti¬ 
vator now simply needs to have good strains 
and suitable houses, and the production of 
fine abundantly blooming plants is assured. 
How valuable are Chinese Primroses to us 
during the winter months! A score or two 
in any ordinary greenhouse adds much life 
and beauty when most other plants are 
flowcrless or resting. A hundred makes a 
house wondrously gaj r , and a house stocked 
with them in full bloom, such as may be 
seen at Reading, Swanley, Forest Hill, 
Sparkbrook, or elsewhere, present, indeed, a 
lovely sight, which may, should some winter 
sunlight prevail, be termed a brilliant one, 
but is still, under leaden skies, a delightful 
one, and specially so for this time of year. 
It is one of the peculiarities of the Chinese 
Primrose that whilst so tenderly constituted, 
yet it finds its flowering season during the 
winter months. How much does that fact 
add to its value, because we can always have 
it in bloom from October to March, or even 
later, if we will but take the little trouble 
needful—to sow early and grow plants well ! 
It is very doubtful whether Londoners are 
ever privileged to see Chinese Primroses at 
their best, or, indeed, moderate best. In 
the first place, the plants thrive best only 
when well out of the area of London smoke, 
and, in the second place, the beautiful hues 
of the flowers are never so brilliant and 
pleasing as when seen in the purer atmos¬ 
phere and brighter light of country districts. 
How often have we noted with pain the 
killing influence of London gloom upon floral 
colours, which seem to be almost diverse from 
what they were in their rural homes. But it 
is a fact also that only rarely do Londoners 
see really good specimen plants. It is easy 
enough to secure an ordinary yearling plant 
in very good bloom; but old plants kept 
over the second year, well cared for and 
liberally grown, will produce truly grand 
heads of bloom, thus becoming really 
exhibition specimen plants. No better plan 
for securing these is to he found than in 
sowing seed in July, and keeping the plants 
raised in small pots for the winter, shifting 
them on into 4S’s in the spring, and allowing 
them just to flower so as to be assured of 
quality, afterwards pinching the bloom out 
and housing the plants in a cool frame 
looking north for the summer, eventually in 
August shifting into 24-size pots, in which 
the plants will grandly bloom. Such plants, 
if stood in a low house in which there is a 
gentle warmth, will flower in good time for 
exhibition during November and December, 
and make a very effective show for a couple 
'of months longer. 
That there are few opportunities for the 
exhibition of Chinese Primroses as specimen 
plants, however, no doubt tends to check the 
production of them, and thus it is that we 
rarely see plants exceeding the dimensions 
easily attained to by ordinary yearlings. In 
addition to choice strains and ample light, 
really good — indeed, almost rich — soil is 
desirable. What plants will become under 
generous culture such growers as Messrs. 
Tompkins, Horton, Cannell and others show us; 
though it is possible that too liberal treatment is 
not quite so well suited for seed production, 
and that is a serious consideration to most large 
growers. Home strains are in quality 
absolutely unequalled, hut that high character 
can only be maintained by constant care hi 
selection and artificial fertilisation. As it is, 
growers find that the more perfect the strain 
the less productive of seeds it is; and that is 
a penalty we have to pay for all our 
advances florally. It is thus a matter of the 
gravest importance that not only should 
quality of strain be maintained by intercrossing, 
hut also that seeds should be produced. 
It is well to declare boldly that for the 
reason just given seed of the best strains of 
Chinese Primroses never can be cheap, because 
it is never abundant. Our best shades of 
colour are found in pure whites, pinks, 
carmines, reds, magentas, crimsons; and blues; 
