C RO 



169 



CRO 



Of the Autumn Crocus, the Rev. Dr. have but one, (being monocotyledonous 



Herbert particularizes the tbllowin 



C. Damascenas, pale purple; C. By- 

 zantinus, white; C. Tournefortianus, 

 French white ; C. Ca/nbessedesianus, 

 white, streaked witli purple ; C. medius 



plants,) appears above the surface of 

 the earth. 



" This occurs sometimes about the 

 end of the year; but oftener in earliest 

 spring. After this it is essential that 



purple ; C. Cartwrightianus, purple ; they should have complete exposure to 



C". far. Creticus, purple and pink ; C 

 Chusianus, light purple. — Bot. Re, 

 Characteristics of Excellence 



the air, even in frosty weather, screen- 

 them, however, occasionally with 

 loose straw from other injurious effects 



Pirst. — It should be composed of of frost. In this manner may the young 



si.x petals, three inner and three outer 

 but fitting so close as to form a cup the 

 shape of half a hollow ball 



crocuses be treated until the suu ac- 

 ([uires sufficient power to dry the earth, 

 or as to require daily waterings. It will 



"Second. — The petals should be be then found advantageous to remove 



broad enough and blunt enough at the 

 ends to form an even edge all round 

 the cup, and lap over each other so 

 much as to have no indentations where 

 they join. 



them to a cooler, but not sheltered 

 situation, and here they may remain 

 until their leaves lie down ; giving them 

 at all times, and in every situation, 

 while their leaves are growing, such 



"Third. — The petals should be thick discretional rose waterings, wlion the 

 and smooth on the edge, without notch \ sun is not shining, as they may roason- 

 or serratine. ably appear to require ; but never until 



"Fourth. — The colour should be the earth they grow in becomes dry; 

 dense and all over the same, if the not any whatever after their leaves 

 variety be a self; and the marking begin to look yellow. After this period 

 should be very distinct, if variegated. ' it is necessary to defend them from all 



a 1,'ifih. — It should be hardy enough humidity, except dews and gentle rains, 

 to stand the frost, for those which are until the end of August or beginning of 

 spoiled by the frosts, which come after; September. 



they Hower, are almost worthless, be-' " If the surface of the earth is oc- 

 causo they all bloom early, before the casionally stirred with the point of a 



frosts are gone, and therefore their only 

 beauty would be destroyed unless they 

 stood the cold well. 



"Lastly. — They ought to bloom 

 abundantly, the (lowers succeeding each 

 other to lengthen the season of their 

 bloom." — Hort. Mag. 



Cultivation. — "The seeds of crocuses 

 are best sown thinly, immediately after 



knife it will never fail to be attended 

 with beneficial effects, and invigorate 

 the bulbs; if notwithstanding tho pre- 

 caution of thinly sowing the seeds, the 

 plants should have grown so thickly to- 

 gether as to have incommoded each 

 other, it will be desirable to have such 

 taken up and replanted immediately 

 further asunder in fresh earth, and about 



being gathered in light dry earth in large three quarters of an inch deep. But if 

 pots or pans, with a sufficiency of holes they are not too crowded, they will re- 

 and potsherds at the bottom for the pur- quire no shifting ; sift a little earth over 

 pose of draining all, and cover not more them, previously stirring and cleaning 

 than half an inch with the mould. The the surface of the old from moss and 

 most eligible aspect or situation until weeds, and observing not to bury the 

 the autumnal rains set in, is a moderate- young bulbs, not yet so large as lentils, 

 ly shady, yet unsheltered one, permit- deeper than three quarters of an inch, 

 ting them to receive all the influence of or an inch at the most. The second 

 the weather, except such heavy showers season requires exactly the same man- 

 agement as the first. But as soon as 

 their second year's foilage has passed 

 away, the roots should all be taken up 

 and replanted again, the same or fol- 

 lowing day, into fresh earth of the same 

 kind as before ; sifting over them in au- 

 tumn half an inch of fresh eartii. The 

 spring following, if they have been duly 

 atfnded f). mo< of thorn will show 



as would wash bare the seeds. As soon, 

 however, as the autumnal rains com- 

 mence, remove to a warm aspect ; and 

 protect them from all excessive rains, 

 frosts, and snows, by the occasional 

 shelter of a garden-frame, allowing 

 them, nevertheless, the benefit of the 

 full air at other times ; but more espe- 



P^.,,1., .,(>,, ,!,„ er."vTi-l lonT. for th"v 



