30 FLORA HISTORICA. 



The Spring Crocus is one of the greatest enliveners 

 of the flower-garden from February to April, and 

 when its bulbs are planted in sufficient quantities 

 to give effect, their gaiety is scarcely surpassed by 

 any plant on the parterre ; but like the Snowdrop, 

 it is generally too sparingly planted, or placed in 

 rows on each side the walk, reminding us of street- 

 lamps by night. Like the Hepatica, the different 

 varieties should be kept in distinct clumps, but not 

 in beds, like a nurseryman's garden, whose primary 

 object is to increase his plants. 



In the borders of Flora, the hand of taste should 

 be displayed, but not in forming fanciful stars or 

 formal squares. Nature should be copied, who 

 sprinkles her plants with that beautiful irregularity 

 which the happiest art cannot surpass. Much must 

 defend, in planting flowers, on the size and form of 

 the garden j but it will always be found that one rich 

 cluster of Crocuses, like a large brilliant, has a more 

 imposing effect than a hundred small diamonds. 



The Crocus bulbs should not be removed oftener 

 than every third or fourth year, which is an addi- 

 tional reason for planting them in large patches. 

 They should be placed about two inches from each 

 other ; but where banks arc to be covered with 

 them, they should be scattered much thinner at the 

 edges. If the earth is of a cold or damp nature, the 

 bulbs should not be covered more than about one 



