flowers are arranged in dense round clusters, and are often in their
finest form when nearly a foot high. They are of a light purple colour,
each flower 1/2in. across, corolla prettily cupped, segments two-lobed,
greenish white at bases, tube long and cylindrical, calyx about half
length of tube, teeth rather long and of a dark brown colour. The scape
is somewhat dark-coloured, especially near the apex. The leaves are
arranged in rosette form, are lance-shaped, rolled back at the edges and
toothed, also wrinkled and downy; they continue to grow long after the
flowers have faded.

Delicate as the flowers seem, they stand the roughest storms without
much hurt.

_P. d. major_ is a larger form in all its parts.

_P. d. nana_ is more dwarfed than the type.

_P. d. amabilis_ is a truly lovely form, having darker foliage and rosy
buds; its habit, too, is even more neat and upright, and the blooming
period earlier by about two weeks.

A moist position and vegetable mould suit it best, according to my
experience, and the dips of rockwork are just the places for it, not
exactly in the bottom, for the following reason: The large crowns are
liable to rot from wet standing in them, and if the plants are set in a
slope it greatly helps to clear the crowns of stagnant moisture.
Propagation is by means of offsets, which should be taken during the
growing season, so that they may form good roots and become established
before winter.

Flowering period, March to May.

Primula Farinosa.

MEALY PRIMROSE, _or_ BIRD'S-EYE; _Nat. Ord._
PRIMULACEAE.

The pretty native species, very common in a wild state in some parts,
near which, of course, it need not be grown in gardens; but as its
beauty is unquestionable, and as there are many who do not know it, and
evidently have never seen it, it ought to have a place in the garden. It
is herbaceous and perennial. All its names are strictly descriptive. The
little centre has a resemblance to a bird's eye, and the whole plant is
thickly covered with a meal-like substance. Small as this plant is, when
properly grown it produces a large quantity of bloom for cutting
purposes.

It is 3in. to 8in. high, according to the situation in which it is
grown. The flowers are light purple, only 1/2in. across, arranged in neat
umbels; the corolla is flat, having a bright yellow centre; leaves
small, ovate-oblong, roundly toothed, bald, and powdery beneath; the
flower scapes are round and quite w