Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-12-03

NOV tne short days are gloomy, cheer
less Snd cold, and there is little to tempt
US to walk abroad, for thg woods are
NAKED and desolale, the me-. .dows are an
uHbrOken tract of snow, aud stern winter
has really come.
Our house plants are now the only green
things which meet our eyes, and we take
deeper Interest in them because we can
not loiter in the woods, The meadows and
the garden, and who SO happy rs she who
has Eer windows filled with thrifty, well
trained Towering plants, which will de-
light the eye and regale the senses during
the dreary months Yet in store for us? As
we attend 10 their various needs, supply
ing them with warm wafer every morn
Ing, adding oLce or twice II week som,
fertilizing material, such us carbonate OF
ammonia, aqua ammonia, guann, etc.
keeping them clear Of Insects and spOng
ing the dust lrum their leaves weekly, We.
nsensIUly 10 ourselves, receive AID from
them. fhu attendance upon their needs
lessons our own cares, llghLens the bur
dens ot our lives, and teacne> us to look
upward to HIM, who gave us the flowers,
as IL beautlfer 10 our surroundings and an
enjoyment 10 ourselves.
Among all the winter Towering plants
there are none which give more satistac-
ton Than the Chinese primrose, for they
are constant bloomers-one plant often
continuing in bloom for eight or ten
mouths-and they not so much
troubled with insects rs are many other
denizens of the greenhouse. Since their
first introduction into England, in 1920,
there has been Il decided Improvement in
both the flowers and the habits of the
plants. Originally its flowers were of an
ugly lilac tint,-not attractive for either
shape, size or color, = but now we see II
finely shaped flower, with deeply fringed
petals, and in every shade of color, from
the deepest crimson rose color to the
purest white. The skill of the florist has
also produced from the white and colored
varieties, variegated, spotted and striped
varieties, and Others with white centers
and well defined margins of colors, and
still others with edges deeply tinted with
red or purple.
70 these varieties have been added
those with double flowers, which are very
charming, and no stand is considered
complete if it does not contain double
white primrose. The double red is
also attractive, and the Queen of England
has very large and double flowers, at first
purely white, and then gradually changing
10 Il lilac tint.
White queen has double, pure white
flower, very large and finely iringed.
The primrose is perennial, and is east
ly grown from otlshoots from the roots, or
from seeds, If grown from seeds, they
should be planted early in April or May,
in very light sandy soil, with good drain
age OF bits of charcoal in the bottom of
the pot. Wet the soil thoroughly with
hot water, and when it is Il little cool,
scatter the seeds over it, covering them
with sprinkling Of fine sand, The tiny
seeds will refuse to sprout, if buried too
deeply, so we must give them only Il
slight blanket of sand, and then cover the
pot with pane of glass and set it in IL
warm, shady place,-the mantel piece
over the range or behind II stove is often
n good spot in which to start the young
plants.
Set the pot into deep saucer or soup
plate, and water it every morning and
night with a little boiling water turned
into the saucer, thus initiating the bottom
heat of a greenhouse or hot bed, and the
soil will absorb all the moisture it requires.
Thus cared for the seeds will soon germin-
ate, and in Il fortnight, or even sooner,
the glass must be removed or The young
plants will become too tender and
spindling and damp of When the seed.
lings are two or three inches high they
should be transpanted into small thumb
pots Tor larger size can be used), filled
with a rich soil of leaf mould sand and
good garden loan, one-third each.
When these pots become full Of roots,
put them into those of Il larger size, and
let them flower in these A moderately
warm room is better for the growth of the
primrose than hot house heat; but good
ventilation is needfu. In watering them
be sure to have the water quite warm TO
the hand, and do not let the soil become
dry, nor yet soggy with wet. A saucer
under The pot is advantageous, and if 1t is
flied With boiling water once Il day it will
be Of great service to the plant. When
The boiling water method is adopted, the
surface Of the pot will not require water
0tlener than once in two or three days,
tnd the bottom heat will force the flower
heat very rapidly. After the buds are
seen Il little weak manure water, made out
If guano, horse, hen or COW manure, and
gwen once week will give brighter
color and larger size 10 the flowers.
The primrose does not require as much
sunlight as roses and gcraniums, and it
can be placed little back from the win
dow. The culture of large sized plants is
The same as that Of the seeding, after they
have attained to some siZe and any one
can grow them with ease, while the plants
will fully repay all extra care, and set
endure neglect better than many others.
They will often send up forty or fifty
towering stalks in one winter, with large
clusters of flowers, and if several varieties
are cultivated, they will give fine show
of color and also plenty of cut flowers
daring the whole season.
Florists depend largely upon the flowers
of the double white primrose for bouquets,
wreaths and crosses, and we amateur flor
lists always delight to have some one plant
from which we can gather flowers to
adOrn the bridal festivitv, or detract from
the gloom of the funeral solemnity.
Primroses can be purchased from all
are offered at!he flower stores in all large
cities. Dwcllers in the country, by en-
closing Il fifty cent scrip to any well known
florist, can receive IL fine plant by mail Of
any desirable Shade, from the deepest
purple and crimson to the purest white,
which will prove delight and Joy for
the coming six months.
In health and in sickness, flowers are
ever charming, and bave delighted thou
sands and thousands who possessed few
other sources of enjoyment. Their culture
is adapted to us all-rich and poor, young
and old-none are debarred from it, and it
is not confined to the fair sex, for there
are many men who enjoy it quite US much
AS women, as the windows Of shops, offices
and manufacturing establishments will
tes'ily.-!S. o. j., IN NeW England Farm
er.