Anemone 



The commoner Anemones need only to be planted about three 

 inches deep, with the eyes upwards, at any time between September 

 and March, and they will require little or no attention afterwards. 

 Under trees, instead of planting in a formal pattern, it is worth while 

 to put them in with some attempt at natural grouping, and not too 

 close together say from six inches to a foot apart. In such positions 

 they may be left undisturbed for years ; and if the soil happens to be 

 a good sandy loam, they will thrive and increase. In masses or beds 

 within the garden, however, a richer effect is wanted, and the dis- 

 tance between the roots should not exceed from four to six inches. 



A choice collection of roots is worth more care, and florists are 

 accustomed to prepare the beds for their reception with fastidious 

 exactness. The soil, if not considered suitable, is taken out to the 

 depth of two feet, and is replaced by a rich and specially prepared 

 compost. Although the individual flowers produced by this method 

 are generally very fine, and the total effect of the bed is exceedingly 

 beautiful, yet the truth must be confessed that for ordinary garden- 

 ing the system is extravagant and unnecessary. As a hobby, it is, 

 of course, justifiable enough ; but Anemones of high quality can be 

 grown by a much simpler mode of procedure. One deep digging there 

 certainly should be, and a layer of manure at the bottom of each trench 

 is sound treatment, for it supplies the roots with food and a cool 

 subsoil. Poor land should also be enriched by incorporating a dress- 

 ing of decayed manure as the work proceeds. Subsequently one or 

 two light surface forkings will help to make the bed mellow. A rough 

 plan, showing the name and position of every root, will be a safer 

 record than labelling in the usual way, and it also prevents the dis- 

 figurement of the bed. There should be a distance of six inches 

 between each root ; and they may be put in singly by means of the 

 trowel, or in drills drawn three inches deep. The former method is 

 generally adopted for groups ; but to insure regularity in flowering 

 the planting must be uniform in depth. For beds, drills are more 

 reliable, and they are speedily made. 



The time of planting determines to a considerable extent the 

 date of flowering ; and, as the roots may be put in during autumn, 

 winter, and early spring, it is easy to secure a succession of 

 Anemones from January until May. But this flower is of so 

 much more value early in the year than at a later period, when 

 many other subjects brighten the garden, that it is scarcely worth 

 while to plant so late as March. 



The Anemone is well worth growing in pots, both foi its foliage 



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