Primula vulgaris, var. polyantha. A florist's flower much esteemed in England; in the United States but little attention has been paid to it.

Varieties

Mr. Slater, florist, of Manchester, gives the following lists: -

First Class

Barrow's Dutchess of Sutherland. Buck's George the Fourth. Bullock's Lancer. Clegg's Lord Crewe, alias George Canning. Collier's Princess Royal. Cox's Regent. Crownshaw's Invincible. Eckersley's Jolly Dragoon. Gibbon's Sovereign. General Bolivar. Gond's Independent. Hetcher's Defiance. Hilton's President. Hufton's Earl Grey, alias Clegg's Lord John Russell. Hufton's Lord Rancliffe, alias Clegg's Prince of Orange, and Clegg's Golden Hero. Hufton's Lord Lincoln. Maude's Beauty of England. Nicholson's Bang Europe. Ollier's Beauty of Over. Pearson's Alexander. Saunders's Cheshire Favourite. Wood's Espartero.

Second Class

Beauty of Coven. Buckley's Squire Starkie. Burnard's Formosa. Dew's Britannia. Faulkner's Black Prince. Fillingham's Tantarara. Queen's Earl Fitzwilliam. Hepworth's Elizabeth. Jolly Sailor.

Nicholson's Ranger.

----------------Nonsuch.

----------------King.

Sir Sidney Smith.

Telegraph (Head's).

Turner's Emperor Buonaparte.

-----------Princess.

Timm's Defiance and Yorkshire Regent.

Characteristics of Excellence, are thus enumerated by Dr. Lindley: -

"The pip of the Polyanthus should be large, and the nearer the outline approaches a circle the better; it should be free from any unevenness, and lie perfectly flat; the edge must be smooth, and the divisions in the corolla, which form it into heart-shaped segments, should reach the eye but not cut into it. The segments should be well rounded, making the divisions between them small and shallow. The tube must be of a fine yellow, round, clearly defined, well filled with anthers, and terminating in a narrow ridge raised slightly above the surface of the eye.

"The eye should be of a bright rich yellow colour, of a uniform width round the tube. The ground colour must be entire, free from specks or blemishes, of a dark or rich crimson, not paler at the edges, and uniform in every division. The edge should form a narrow well defined rim of yellow, perfectly regular, bordering each segment, and passing down the centre of each division to the eye.

"It is essential that the edge and the eye be of a uniform yellow. These qualities in the pips, and the flowers forming a compact truss, standing well above the foliage on a firm upright stem, will constitute perfection in the polyanthus."- Gard. Citron.

Propagation By Seed

Dr. Lindley says, "during February sow in pots in a light and moderately rich soil, and give the seed, when sown, a slight covering of sifted soil; the pans should then be placed under hand-glasses. It is better to raise them without bottom-heat, as the young plants are apt to damp off. As soon as the seeds begin to vegetate, air should be given; and as they increase in size, care must be taken to keep away slugs. When the sun has much power, it will be advisable to remove the pans to an east or north aspect, to prevent them from becoming too dry. In August they will be ready for transplanting." - Gard. Chron.

General Culture

This is detailed by that most successful floriculturist, Dr. Horner, of Hull, and from his directions are taken the following extracts: -

Situation And Soil

A free and pure air is necessary for its vigorous growth. It should alway be grown in a bed or open border, and in one which has an eastern aspect. It is most impatient of heat and drought, but delights in a cool, or rather moist and shaded locality, where it can enjoy about two hours of the morning sun. It thrives best in a retentive soil from a rich old pasture, to which has been added about the sixth part of cow manure, two or three years old, and the same quantity of leaf-mould. The natural soil of the garden should be dug out to the depth of a foot, and the space filled up with the above, three months previously to planting them, that the bed may have become settled before it is required for the plants.