36 GARDEN FLOWERS. 



of its roots, these being thickly set with Httle buds or bulb- 

 lets. Some of the smaller-growing spring kinds are ver)' 

 pretty if grown in large patches, or planted about in shrub- 

 beries : these propagate by separating their tubers when in 

 a dormant state. A. narcissiflora is a very fine hardy species, 

 blooming early in June. 



There are about twenty tuberous- rooted species and va- 

 rieties, and about forty with herbaceous roots. 



The Anemone, the florist's flower of our gardens, is the 

 offspring of A. coroJiaria (garland anemone), and A. hortensis. 

 Sprung from these are annually increased varieties. A vari- 

 ety lasts about twelve years. 



Characteristics of a good shigle Anemone. — The stem 

 strong, elastic, and erect, not less than nine inches high ; 

 the flower at least two inches and a half in diameter, con- 

 sisting of large, substantial, well-rounded petals, at first hor- 

 izontally extended, and then turning a little upwai'ds, so as 

 to form a broad, shallow cup ; the color clear and distinct 

 when diversified in the same flower, or brilliant and strik- 

 ing if it consists only of one color, as blue, crimson, or 

 scarlet. 



A double Anemone should have the outer petals quite flat ; 

 the second series a little shorter, the third shorter still, and 

 so on till the centre is quite full, when the whole should 

 form a rather flat hemisphere. Every double flower should 

 be of one full color. 



Propagation. — Offsets from the root, and new varieties 

 from seed. In propagating by offsets, all the best kinds 

 should be taken up annually at the decay of the leaf, and 

 the root divided at the time of taking up, to allow the wound 

 to heal, into as many pieces or knobs as are furnished with 

 an eye or bud ; observing, however, that, if they are divided 

 very small, they flower very weak the first year. 



