November, 1912 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
297 
Begonias require plenty of sunlight and a rela¬ 
tively high temperature 
Among the winter flowering house plants that 
require little sunlight is the cyclamen 
Primroses may be had in a large number of 
desirable sorts. This one is Forbesi 
The baby primrose is a pretty thing, with its abundant small 
flowers held high above the low herbaceous foliage. The other 
varieties are considerably larger in flower and leaf, but in their 
own way fully as pretty. Avoid Primula obconica, as it is slight¬ 
ly poisonous to the touch. The Chinese primrose has been on 
the market a long time and makes a rather satisfactory house 
plant. If you have purchased your plant from a reliable florist 
whose assurance you have that the plant has been potted in suit¬ 
able soil it will need no further attention on your part save water¬ 
ing and sunlight. 
In color the primroses vary from white to red and yellow. 
There is a new primrose on the market, botanically known as 
Primula Kewensis, a cross originated in the Ivew Gardens, for 
which the claim is made that it is the largest, longest and most 
profuse bloomer of all the primulas. It is a canary yellow and 
fragrant. Personally I can say nothing about this particular 
variety except that it looks very pretty, as I have never grown it. 
The cyclamen or Alpine violet is equal and in the matter of 
pronounced color superior to the primroses as a house plant. In 
range of color the flowers grade from white to red. They are 
borne singly on fleshy stems often over six inches long and rise 
well above the rather large, heart-shaped mottled green leaves. 
Grown for indoor culture the cyclamens are essentially winter 
flowering plants. As they prefer a cool and shady place it is 
easily possible to grow them thriftily and merrily like the prim¬ 
rose behind a curtain and in a cool room. Once placed in a fair 
sized pot the plants will need repotting but seldom. Though de¬ 
cidedly averse to a soggy soil they demand plenty of water and 
love to have their leaves sprinkled. 
It is not advisable for any one not willing to put himself to- 
considerable expense to attempt to raise azaleas within doors. 
Not but what they can be kept for years in a thrifty condition 
with comparatively little trouble, but the correct manner of caring 
for them can be learned only after considerable experience, which 
is generally gained at the cost of several plants. They are what 
the florists know as cool house plants, and will not do well in 
excessively hot rooms. There are both single and double flower- 
(Continued on page 320) 
Successful growing of azaleas indoors is a matter of con¬ 
siderable experience 
Glorie de Lorraine, an ex¬ 
cellent begonia 
Primula Chinertsis is low growing and may be had in 
great variation of color 
