Book II. 



ANEMONE. 



837 



6277. Criterion of a fine double anemone, {fig. 595.) " The stem should be strong, 

 elastic, and erect, not less than nine in- 

 ches high. The blossom, or corolla, should 

 be at least two inches and a half in dia- 

 meter, consisting of an exterior row of 

 large substantial well rounded petals, or 

 guard-leaves, at first horizontally ex- 

 tended, and then turning a little upwards, 

 so as to form a broad shallow cup, the 

 interior part of which should contain a 

 great number of long small petals, imbri- 

 cating each other, and i^ther reverting 

 from the centre of the blossom ; there are 

 a great number of small slender stamens, 

 intermixed with these petals, but they are 

 short, and not easily discernible. The 

 color should be clear and distinct when diversified in the same flower, or brilliant and 

 striking if it consists only of one color, as blue, crimson, or scarlet, &c, in which case 

 the bottom of the broad exterior petals is generally white ; but the beauty and contrast is 

 considerably increased when both the exterior and interior petals are regularly marked 

 with alternate blue and white, or pink and white, &c. stripes, which in the broad petals 

 should not extend quite to the margin." 



6278. Propagation. By seed for new varieties, and by dividing the root for continu- 

 ing approved sorts. 



6279. By seed. Select " single or semi-double flowers, that have strong, tall, and erect stems, large well 

 formed cups, and petals of very brilliant colors. The seed must be gathered from time to time as it 

 opens ; for, being very downy and light, it will otherwise be blown away by the first breeze of wind, or 

 fall down and be lost : it may be sown at the same time, and be treated in all respects like that of ranuncu- 

 luses ; the seedlings will, like those, blow strong the second year. It will be found very difficult to sow 

 anemone-seed in a regular manner : it is united with, and enveloped in a downy substance, that upon 

 being put together in quantity, adheres in such a manner as to render it necessary to make use of some 

 eand or earth to separate it on sowing ; nor will this be effected sufficiently without considerable labor in 

 rubbing it for a long time amongst the earth, as it ought not to adhere together in lumps, which would 

 not allow the young plants space enough to form their roots. There will be found but few double flowers 

 amongst the seedlings, nor can it hardly ever be expected there should, if the seed be entirely saved from 

 single ones ; of course, the greater number of broad petals the flower of the seed-bearer possesses, so much 

 greater is the probability of procuring large double flowers from the seed of it." 



6280. By dividing the root. When the division is properly made, every piece will blow the first year, 

 and is therefore to be treated in the same way as such as are full-grown. 



6281. Choice of full-grown roots. Select fresh plump roots of moderate size ; large overgrown roots, 

 which are hollow in the centre and often decayed, are to be avoided, as they never blow strong. 



6282. Soil and situation, and preparation of the bed. The same as for the ranunculus. 



6283. Planting and future culture. The distance between the roots may be the same as for the ranun- 

 culus. Attend to place that side of the roots next the soil in which the decayed rudiments of small 

 thread-like fibres will be observed, and cover about two inches deep. " Anemones are hardier than 

 ranunculuses, and, consequently, may be always planted in the autumn with safety ; the most advisable 

 time is about the middle of October, by which means they will blow a week or two earlier than the tulips : 

 if they are planted ten days or a fortnight after the tulips, they will all bloom together ; but a few 

 days earlier or later in the planting will scarcelv be perceptible at the time of flowering : it is, how- 

 ever, proper to observe, that such roots as are planted in October, will blow stronger, and, when taken 

 up, will be found of a larger size than those that are planted towards the end of November, especially 

 if the winter proves mild ; but if the winter sets in early, and proves severe, late-planted roots will 

 not have time to vegetate before frosty weather takes place ; in which case there will be great danger 

 of their perishing, unless they are covered with straw, just sufficiently to keep frost from the roots, as 

 they are then in a state of inactivity, but replete with moisture, which renders them more susceptible of 

 injury from frost, and, at the same time, in much greater danger of mouldiness than after vegetation has 

 commenced. The covering must therefore be taken off and put on, as often, and in such proportion, as 

 the exigency or circumstance of the case requires." Water and protect from high winds and heavy- 

 rains, as directed for ranunculuses. 



6284. Taking up the roots. " Anemones continue longer after bloom in a state of vegetation than ra- 

 nunculuses, probably because of their greater degree of succulency ; and even at the proper time to take 

 them up, it will sometimes happen, that part of their foliage will not be entirely divested of greenness and 

 moisture ; this will often be the case when frequent showers of rain intervene, and are admitted between 

 the times of blowing and the maturity of the roots : when it thus happens, much skill is required to ascer- 

 tain the critical period to take up the roots ; for if they are suffered to remain in the damp or wet ground 

 a few days too long, they will shoot afresh, and be thereby materially weakened and injured ; it is, indeed, 

 better to take them up rather too early, than suffer them to re-vegetate in this manner; but the roots 

 will not be so firm and solid as if done at the exact time. The safest and most effectual method to pre- 

 serve them from these disagreeable consequences, is to keep off all rains after the bloom is quite over, by 

 means of mats on hoops ; the roots will then regularly and gradually mature, and the foliage will, in like 

 manner, become brown and dry, which will point out the true time to take up the roots ; and this will 

 usuallv happen to be about a month after full bloom. The whole subsequent treatment of the roots, till 

 the time of planting, is the same as for ranunculuses, with only the following caution, viz. that as the 

 roots are exceedingly brittle, it is necessary to handle them very gently upon dressing or cleaning away 

 their fibres, and the soil that adheres to them ; however, should only small pieces break off, such should 

 not be thrown away, as each will, in the course of a few years, become a blooming root, if it has an eye, 

 without which it is of no value ; but that seldom happens to be the case." (Maddock.) Anemones may 

 be forced like the ranunculus; but, as it generally destroys the roots, the finest sorts should not be devoted 

 to this purpose. 



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