for common house culture, commencing to flower usually in November, and
continuing through the spring months. The seed for this ought to be sown
in April--if later the plants will not come into bloom so early. The
soil for Primroses in all stages should be fine, light and rich, with a
good mixture of sand.
For seed sowing it can be put in pans, boxes or six inch pots. First,
put in drainage--I use for this coarse sand--then the coarse siftings of
the soil. On this to the depth of one and a half or two inches, put the
fine mixed soil, press down smoothly and spray lightly with tepid water.
Sow the seed on the surface, and sift on enough of the fine earth to
partially but not fully cover them. Cover with a glass, or with a bit of
soft nice flannel, and place in the shade where a mild moist temperature
can be attained. Where flannel is used, it can be kept damp and thus
impart moisture to the seeds without their being saturated, washed bare,
or displaced by spraying. When the seed has germinated, then glass can
be substituted. The tender seedlings must be gradually brought to the
sunlight; too long exposure at first would kill them, and if kept in the
shade too much they will become drawn and dwarfed. This is the critical
period, and many fail at this point. Great care is essential till the
plants put forth the third leaf, which is rough and the true primula
leaf. Then the plants must be carefully transplanted into other pots
prepared as before. In about a month the glass can be removed and the
plants potted separately, setting them low, as it is a peculiarity of
the Primula to stretch itself up out of the soil, and become shaky. It
is necessary sometimes to give them support. In watering, care must be
had to prevent the water lodging in the axils of the leaves, which cause
them to decay. They will not bear showering like smooth surfaced plants,
and only occasionally should they be sprayed through a fine hose. They
must be kept during the summer months in a shady place, and have a cool
bottom to stand on; a cold frame is the best. They must be housed by the
end of September, and the best situation for them is a light, airy shelf
near the glass, yet not exposed to intense sunshine. They do not like
frequent changes of position and temperature, nor to be grown with other
plants. Give them a cool place where they will have the morning or
afternoon sun for a time. During the blossoming season stimulate the
soil once a week with liquid manure, or water with a few drops of
ammonia added. Pick off all flowers as fast as they fade. Plants are
stronger and better the second year, and unless they get too shaky, are
good for three years. They must, after blossoming, be taken out of the
pot, the ball of earth reduced from the roots, and then re-potted in
fresh soil. It is not needful to keep them dormant and shaded through
the summer, but in a cool and partially secluded position, they will
after a brief rest begin to grow, putting forth frequently little crowns
all around about the old one, and be full of blossoms during the autumn
and winter months. The double varieties are not so easily grown, and
cannot be recommended for general culture to be raised from seed. Fine
plants can be procured from the florists, but the large single sorts, we
think give the most satisfaction. Ellis Brothers, Keene, N. H., have
sent us for trial, packets of very fine strains; some are rare, and,
judging from the description, must be very beautiful. It is not often
that we find more than four varieties named in the catalogues. They
send out a dozen sorts, some of which we will name: _Primula Fimbriata
Kermesina Splendens_; Large flowers, brilliant velvet like crimson,
yellow eye. _Primula Frimbriata Punctata Elegantissima_; a new variety;
flower velvety crimson, edge spotted with white; very distinct. _Primula
Fimbriata Striata_; beautifully striped. _Primula Fringed_, _Fern Leaf_;
pure white, with large citron eye; very fine. _Primula Globosa_, new; a
large flowering, fringed sort; petals large and many of them crimped,
each overlapping the other, so that they appear almost semi-double;
colors white, light pink, crimson and lilac pink. All of these can be
bought in mixed or separate packets. We cannot find room for all of
these, but hope from the rarest to obtain some fine plants to brighten
our room the coming winter. Great advances have been made since the
Primrose was introduced into this country little more than half a
century ago.
[Illustration]
Of the novelties we find in the London _Garden_ special mention made of
Primula Sinensis Fimbriata Alba Magnifica. The writer says: "The
Primulas from Mr. B. S. Williams' Victoria Nurseries, Holloway, were
remarkably fine. The newest sort shown, Alba Magnifica, promises to be
an excellent kind; the flowers are large, produced in dense and many
flowered trusses, borne well above the foliage, which is also remarkable
being elegantly crisped at the margins. The color is white, the purity
of which, however, is more strongly marked when the plants are more
mature than those shown; the habit of growth is very robust."
Of this novelty Mr. H. Cannell says: "The new white Primula is of
exquisite form and substance; the plants are exceedingly compact, with
deeply indented leaves of a light green color; the flowers measure two
and one-quarter inches in diameter, pure white, with large, bright
yellow eye, each petal being deeply and beautifully fringed, and are
borne in large trusses well above the foliage."
We give an illustration of this Primula, kindly furnished by Ellis
Bros., who are of the first to offer it in this country.