This plant is too well known to need a detailed description here. When well grown we have nothing capable of giving stronger effect. For porch and veranda decoration it stands at the head of the list.

Cinerarías And Primulas.

Old plants can be kept in the cellar over winter. Bring them to the light in March. As soon as they begin to grow well, make liberal use of fertilizers. Buds are formed in fall, and our aim should be, at this time, to encourage the fullest possible development of them. The flowers are of pale pink, on opening, changing, later on, to a more decided red, and still later to a dull green. When they take on this color they should be cut off. These flowers are borne in enormous trusses, there being so many of them that the branches of the plant bend beneath their weight. Large plants frequently have as many as a hundred or more at a time. Plants are good for an indefinite period, if well cared for.

After the flowering season is over, cut the bush back sharply, shorten every branch. Feed well at this time to encourage the production of branches on which flowers will be borne next season.

Never prune in early spring. If you do this you sacrifice the crop of flowers for which the plant made preparation last fall.