PREFACE. 
tion to watering is | requisitey especially for those 
in small pots ; and that worms, :slugs and. snails 
are remarkably partial to all these plants, and often 
destroy them, in spite of the most unabating assi- 
duity of the gardener to prevent such depredations. 
The Genus Ligularia, being more tender than the 
others, is hardly secure, even in mild winters, 
without the protection of the greenhouse, although 
near London it sometimes survives, and even flou- 
rishes out of doors on shaded rock-work. The 
earth in the pots, and about the small species on 
rock-work, &c. should be stirred on the surface oc- 
casionally, anda little fresh added when requisite; 
and the whole of course kept clear from weeds, or 
the overpowering luxuriance of other plants. The 
Genus Zntiphylla, although its native rocks are 
moist, in a cultivated state delights more in sun 
and drought than many of the others, and indeed 
will.not blossom in our open ground at all, or even 
in pots without due attention toits proper wants. - 
But if planted in a mixture of half, bog earth and 
loam, placed in the full sun, and watered sparingly 
even in summer, and wintered in a frame; it will 
blossom annually, very early and brilliantly. From 
its small size, lovely flowers, and early appearance, 
it is a weleome ornament to the parlour or study, 
and. is brought abundantly to Covent Garden 
Market. every March, or even at. the end of. Fe- 
bruary, and eagerly purchased (as other writers 
have observed) for those purposes. 
Most of the species are are propagated very rapidly 
by parting their roots in spring, summer, or au- 
