302 EARLY CROCUSES. 
siderable extent, and its lovely blue flowers adorn the sides of a long 
walk in the pleasure grounds. I have had several of the finest of the 
garden species grown with this, and have obtained some seed by cross 
impregnation ; the plants have not yet bloomed, but I hope to have the 
handsome flower of the V. Chameedrys upon the long spiked species of 
the flower-garden. As soon as my hybrid plants bloom I will send 
you the result. - 
DIGITALIS PURPUREA, THE Foxc1iove.—This noble flowering 
plant, the richest ornament of our woods, now grows abundantly in my 
ground, upon a sloping bank shaded with large trees, and is each spring 
and summer richly adorned with spikes of these charming flowers. I 
have obtained some very handsome varieties by impregnation; I have 
white with dark spots inside, cream colour with purple spots, flesh 
coloured, lilac, pink, buff, and other colours and shades; all are very 
pretty, and some peculiarly handsome, I am most amply repaid for the 
attention given. 
EARLY CROCUSES. 
Tue old method of cultivating Crocuses and other dwarf bulbous 
plants in pots, for decorating greenhouses and drawing-room windows, 
has been greatly improved upon by fashionable floriculturists of the 
present day, who have contrived an agreeable substitute in a species 
of ornamental receptacle, capable of admitting a larger quantity of 
plants, and showing them to better advantage. 
We have frequently seen a sort of saucepan-shaped flower-pot made 
use of, with a convex bottom, destitute of edges, freely perforated with 
holes, and placed in an inverted position; but this is objectionable, 
because its appearance is anything but pleasing, and there is a difficulty 
in supplying the plants with water. The shape best adapted for the 
object is obviously a pyramidal one, with a flat open space at the top, 
and a rim half an inch broad, inclining outwards, with another rim at 
the base, about the same distance below the bottom of the frame, to 
allow the water to drain off readily. The {material we should employ 
would be wood, because this can be manufactured into any ‘desired 
form ; and although less durable than earthenware, it can be painted so 
as to Jast a considerable time, and may be renewed at pleasure at a very 
trifling expense. The whole of the sides and top should be bored with 
round holes, about an inch apart, and half an inch in diameter; and 
the bottom must be made to slide in and out as may be required. The 
size can be varied from four to six or eight inches diameter at the base, 
and a proportionate height. In painting them a green colour is to be 
chosen, as being more lively and natural. 
November, or as soon after as possible, is the best period for planting 
Crocuses or other small bulbs, and a sandy loam is the most proper 
earth. Ifthe varieties be judiciously disposed with regard to their 
colour, they will constitute a most brilliant and alluring display. 
Where the common flats which are placed beneath flower-pots, cannot 
conveniently be used, a small drawer lined with tin or zine may be made’ 
at the bottom, to catch all the water administered as it drains through. 
a 
