SNOWDROP. 11 



of France, Switzerland, Austria, and Silesia. It 

 has been known to flower in this country as early 

 as the middle of January, when the season has been 

 mild, but generally it does not appear before the 

 beginning of February. Frequently it may be 

 seen so immediately after the melting of the snow, 

 that it gives the idea of some straggling flakes 

 hanging undissolved on the blades of grass. 



The Snowdrop appears to greatest advantage 

 -when it is seen springing from the grassy banks of 

 an orchard, or on the undisturbed turfy rising 

 grounds of the garden ; for as it seldom flowers 

 well if removed oftener than every third year, it is 

 not calculated for borders that are annually turned 

 over ; but in small gardens it may be planted under 

 shrubs and trees, where it has a good effect, if 

 planted in large irregular clumps, for when planted 

 out singly, it makes no better appearance than a 

 spot of chalk would do on the earth. In lawns 

 and shrubberies, care should be taken to place these 

 flowers plentifully in the most favourable spots that 

 are seen from the windows of the breakfast-room. 

 When planted in the grass lawn they should have 

 the appearance of growing wild, and therefore all 

 formal clumps must be avoided, and they should 

 be scattered as it were by chance, thick in some 

 places, and thinly sprinkled in others, so as to con- 

 nect the more important clumps into one irregular 



