K^S Anemone Japonica ; 



under all circumstances, and it has proved itself to be one of 

 the most desirable of herbaceous plants for autumn decora- 

 tion, blooming, as it does profusely, from the middle of Au- 

 gust to the end of October. It forms quite a rival for the pur- 

 ple Chinese chrysanthemum, its rosy purple semi-double flow- 

 ers being each nearly three inches in diameter, and elevated 

 to a height of two or more feet. It grows freely in almost 

 any situation, and is easily increased by seed, or by dividing 

 the old plants when in a dormant state, or it may be raised 

 from small portions of roots, if treated thus : — 



Any time in spring, before the old plants commence grow- 

 ing, shake or wash the soil clean from them, and afterwards 

 cut their slender wire-like roots into small pieces, from half 

 an inch to an inch in length ; and, having provided some pans 

 or pots well drained, and filled with soil composed of sandy 

 loam, peat, and well-decayed cow-dung, in equal parts, strew 

 the small portions of the roots over the surface, and cover 

 them lightly with silver sand ; then place the pots or pans in 

 a frame or pit, where there is a gentle heat and plenty of 

 moisture ; they will soon commence growing, and, by the be- 

 ginning of May, will be ready for potting, singly, in 3-inch 

 pots, which should be filled with the same kind of soil as be- 

 fore used, returning the plants to the pit or frame in order to 

 recover the effects of the shift. Afterwards, when fairly estab- 

 lished in the 3-inch pots, they should be removed to rather a 

 shady situation out of doors, where they will grow rapidly, 

 and, by the end of June, will again require shifting into larger 

 pots ; or they may be planted out in the open beds, or borders, 

 for blooming in autumn, observing, however, that, whether 

 kept in pots or planted out, the strongest plants be selected, 

 and, to be successful, it is essential that they have rich soil 

 and plenty of moisture. 



If the plants are intended for greenhouse or conservatory 

 decoration during autumn, they should be treated as follows : — 

 About the end of June, select some of the strongest plants in 

 the 3-inch pots, and, having well drained some large pots, 

 (r2-inch,) place about six of the plants out of the 3-inch pots, 

 at equal distances in each large pot, employing rich soil of 

 the description already mentioned; water freely, and place the 

 plants in rather a shaded situation, afterwards treat them like 



