FLORISTS' FLOWERS : ANEMONES. 65 



large in size, and decided and distinct in colour. The 

 form of the flower, whether it be cupped, globular, or 

 widely expanded, should be symmetrical ; the petals even 

 and regular in their arrangement, full, but not too 

 crowded ; the outer range broad and firmly set, rendering 

 the flower lasting. In texture they should be firm and 

 thick, not thin and flimsy. Fragrance, and a firm 

 upright stem, are points. A green or yellow centre to 

 a flower when open is a great fault. 



CHAPTER X. 



FLORISTS' FLOWERS : ANEMONES, CALCEOLARIAS, 

 CARNATIONS, CHRYSANTHEMUMS, CINERARIAS. 



THE term florists' flowers is applied to those kinds 

 which can be brought to a great degree of perfection 

 and novelty in size, colour, and other properties, by 

 careful cultivation. Such flowers and plants are reared 

 with exact precision by gardeners and amateurs ; they 

 have special classes at horticultural shows, and the 

 attainment of a new variety in any of them is a great 

 triumph to the grower. I only purpose to enter into 

 the merits of these to the extent which will be found 

 useful in a little work like the present. 



As a great desideratum is to grow new varieties, it is 

 a good thing if such flowers hybridize freely, or vary 

 much when grown from seed. 



Anemones, as common garden flowers, five or seven 

 roots in a patch, may be grown without difficulty, and 

 form pretty clumps of gay bloom ; but to rear them in 

 high order requires more care. To make an anemone 

 bed, dig out the earth to the depth of a foot, spread a 

 layer of well-rotted cow manure six or eight inches 

 thick, over this spread fresh loam, enough to raise the 

 beds three or four inches above the level of the path or 

 grass around, and let it be ready for planting in October. 



F 



