142 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 13, 1904. 
tried and superseded here by the one almost exclusively used 
at Kew—the lead label. J• C- 
Ants. 
To the Editor of The Gardening World. 
Sir, —Be the above insect, if " J. C. F. will drop a small 
quantitv of tar in their haunts it will quickly drive them from 
thence. I have never heard of the use of matches for the pur¬ 
pose, but as " W. B. B. states, in all probability it will have 
the desired effect. T. Fletcher. 
Emval Park, Wrexham. 
The Bothy. 
I wonder how many bothies there are in this country wheie 
evervthing is kept in proper order and tidy : also proper dis¬ 
cipline, and everything right and proper, both words and 
deeds! 
I am very much afraid that there are many yes, a v ery 
great many—bothies m this country where there is not much 
encouragement for any young man (however much he may try) 
to keep things tidv and in proper order. I refer to those places 
called bothies, which really look very much more like tumble- 
down sheds, and really are not fit and healthy places for any 
young gardener to live in. 
Some there are where, when it rains, you get nearly as wet 
as if you were out in the storm. 
Is it not pleasant when you have to get up in the middle 
of the night to move your bed because the rain is dripping 
thiough the roof on to it. I have lived once in such a bothy 
myself, or I wo Id not say it. I only wish all young gardeners 
had as good a bothy to five in as I have at present. 
But now we will mention a few little items which will all help 
to make a bothy cheerful and homelike, but I sincerely hope 
in mentioning some cf them that I shall not offend any or my 
fellow gardeners. 
One thing is, when you come home late at night (sometimes 
earlv morning >. think of your bothy mates, and keep as quiet 
as vou possibly can. Do not knock about the chairs, etc., but 
let vour mates sleep and rest. Think a little about them, and 
if vou do not want to rest yourself , at least: let them do so. 
I rhink everv voung man should be in by 11 p.m., with 
exceptions, of course, such as parties, dances, etc., or when 
you go up to town on Saturday evening 1 1 mean when you live 
in the country). 
I know that at some places there are some very hard and 
fast rules as to the hours young men have to be in. I am afraid 
that sometimes these hard and fast rules are the cause of mis¬ 
chief at times, because it causes a lot of dodging. 
Xow. in our bothv we have no real hard and fast rules as to 
the hours to be in at night, and I can truthfully say that 
verv seldom indeed are any of the young men out much later 
than 10 p.m. 
Another point is, always try to avoid the use of profane 
language and vulgar talk : you may think it makes you look 
clever, but it does no such thing. It really makes you look 
verv small in other people s eyes : besides, what good does 
it do vou ? Do you benefit by it in any way at all ? I say, 
c ' Xo " : far from it, but the reverse. 
Still I am very sorry to say that in many bothies a great 
amount of profane language and filthy talk is indulged in. 
Xow, would it not be far better for all to sit down and have 
a discussion on some horticultural subject, or. in fact, any 
subject which would benefit the young men I I am sure it 
would. Ave, and many an instructive and interesting evening 
may be passed that way. 
Or, again, set to work and write short articles to anv of 
the horticultural papers (T am sure any editor will be only 
too pleased to consider them), or even fry the short articles 
for the weeklv prize in The Gardexixg World, and I am sure 
you will be surprised to find how much you have learnt in 
writing these articles. I am speaking from experience. But¬ 
in writing these articles, if you have need to refer to a book for 
anything, such as botanical names, etc., do not throw it down 
just where you have done with it, or when reading the daily 
paper, or any paper, do not fling them down anywhere when 
done with, but fold them up tidily and put them in their 
proper place, for what looks worse than an untidy bothy ? 
I could write much more on this subject, but space will not 
permit it; still, just a few words more. Always try to be tidy, 
clean, and methodical in your ways, and I am sure, however 
cheerless the bothy may look that you live in, you will feel 
far more happy and comfortable than if you gave way to un¬ 
tidiness and bad habits. 
I trust none of your readers will look at any of my words 
in the wrong light, as I have written nothing with that inten¬ 
tion, but all in a- friendly spirit. Japoxica. 
Primula obconica. 
Much could be said in favour of this useful greenhouse plant, 
and perhaps a few notes as to its general culture would be 
welcomed by the readers of The Gardexixc; World. As a 
decorative plant few give more returns for attention paid 
them : its free flowering qualities alone are enough to en¬ 
courage all horticulturists to grow them. Propagation can be 
effected either bv seed or division of the root. Seedlings bv 
* _ O • 
far make the best plants. The latter method is generally 
adopted when one desires to keep or increase the stock of one or 
more of exceptional quality, eitfler in size of bloom or richness 
of colour. 
I prefer to sow the seed in spring, during February or 
March, using 18-size pots, half-filled with crocks and rough 
stuff, using a compost consisting of equal portions cf loam and 
leaf soil, with a liberal addition of silver sand. Fill the pots 
to within Ain. of the rim, give a good watering with a fine 
rose water-can, and stand to settle. Sprinkle the seed evenly 
and thinly over the surface, covering it slightly with soil, 
consisting chiefly of sand. After sowing, cover the pots with 
brown paper, tying closely round under the rim with string; 
by keeping the paper moist evaporation of the soil will not 
occur, and the soil from getting once dry will be prevented. 
More failures happen through this than any other I know of in 
the raising of Primula seed. Primula obconica seed is some¬ 
what slow in germination, and one requires a lot of patience 
in the matter. An ordinary warm greenhouse with a tempera¬ 
ture ranging between 55 deg. and 60deg. would be sufficient to 
raise them. When the seedlings are large enough to handle 
prick them off into thumbs or small 60 s, standing them in the 
same structure until established, when they can be transferred 
to a cold frame, standing them on a good ash bottom. The 
best position through the summer months is in frames placed 
under a north wall; elevate the frames upon a brick at each 
comer to ensure a free circulation of air, so much needed to 
obtain stocky, well-grown plants. Several shifts into larger 
pots will be necessary, using 32's for the final or flowering pots. 
A compost of three parts loam, one leaf soil, one dry cow 
manure, with a sprinkling of coarse sand, is a suitable mixture 
for the final shift. Firm potting is very important. 
When the plants show evidence of an exhausted soil some 
stimulant should be given. I find a fertiliser very helpful to 
the plants. Sprinkle a small quantity upon the surface and 
water it in. About October the plants should be housed. A 
shelf near the glass in a cool greenhouse is an ideal place for 
them. At this period watering should be done with care : 
rather keep them on the dry side than wet: few plants show the 
effects of stagnation quicker than Primula obconica. As to 
propagation by division, after flowering is the best time to 
undertake it, splitting the plants and selecting the most pro¬ 
mising crowns and potting them in 60's in a compost as recom¬ 
mended. ~ H. W. Celham. 
Readers’ Cohpetitiox. —Particulars of Weekly Prize see 
centre page. 
