MARCH 



" Often, in sheltering brakes 

 As one from rest disturb'd in the first hour, 

 Primrose or violet bewilder'd wakes, 

 And deems 'tis time to flower ; 

 Though not a whisper of her voice he hear, 

 The buried bulb does know 

 The signals of the year, 

 And hails far Summer with his lifted spear." 



Coventry Patmore. 



Crocuses \ It ARCH brings us as its first great joy the Crocuses ; a few 

 in Grass I y I days ago the green tips were hardly visible, now the 

 sun has forced their hearts open, and the grass is 

 streaked with their brilliant colour: 



"... And winter sped, 

 Whirled before the Crocus the year's new gold." 



The common Crocus lends itself to a great variety of effect 

 with its rich purples and yellows and delicate mauves and 

 whites, and will grow in almost any position, semi-shade or 

 sun, in grass, round trees or shrubs, or in the open borders. 

 It is not particular about soil but increases fastest in a good 

 loam with some sand added. Everywhere they are delightful, 

 but for greatest beauty grow them in the grass, because, having 

 only insignificant leaves of their own, they look the better 

 for a background of green. An old orchard near here is one 

 of the loveliest Spring sights of the year the grass under the 



