OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 47 



from the midst of an ample sheath and overlapping leaves, which 

 are only just visible in the early season of this year; the 

 corolla of six petal-like divisions is 2in. to Sin. across when 

 expanded, and of various shades and colours, as already stated ; 

 the segments are completely divided, being continued from the 

 throat of the corolla to the ovary by long tapering bases, called 

 nails, claws, or ungues. The leaves are stout, broadly strap- 

 sha/ped, channelled, and of a deep green colour. The bulb is 

 rather small ; its form resembles that of the autumn crocus, as 

 also does its mode of growth and reproduction. 



The early blossoms of this bulb soon disappear, and though 

 the roots are all the better for being well ripened, a thin patch 

 of some of the finer annuals sown in spring amongst their 

 withering leaves will not do much harm, and will prove useful 

 as gap-stoppers. Another good way is to grow these dwarf 

 bulbous flowers with a carpet of creepers, of which there are 

 scores in every way suitable ; and where nothing else is available 

 or to be grown with success, the small-leaved ivy will answer 

 well. The dwarf phloxes, however, are more useful; their 

 browned spreading branches form a neutral but warm-looking 

 ground to the purple blossoms ; besides, by the time all trace of 

 the Bulbocodium has shrivelled up, they begin to produce their 

 sheets of bloom. All such prostrate forms not only preserve 

 dwarf winter flowers from the mud, but otherwise give effect to 

 the borders. This bulb thrives best in light soil, well drained; 

 in sheltered nooks it may be had in flower a month earlier than 

 in exposed parts. Under such conditions it increases very fast, 

 and the bulbs may be transplanted with advantage every other 

 year after the tops have died off. In stiff or clay -like soil it 

 dwindles and dies. 



Flowering period, January to March. 



Calthus Palustris Flore-pleno. 



DOUBLE MARSH MARIGOLD ; Old Common Name, " MEADOW 



BOOTES "; Nat. Ord. E-ANUNCULACE^E. 



THE typical, or single-flowering variety of this plant is a British 

 species, and a rather common one ; but the pleasing habit and 

 bright, finely-formed, orange-yellow flower of this double kind 

 renders it a suitable plant for any garden. It is herbaceous and 

 perennial, and loves boggy situations. It is, however, very 

 accommodating, and will be found to do well in ordinary garden 

 soil, especially if it be a stimsh loam ; clayey land is well adapted 

 for it. No matter what kind of weather prevails, it has always 

 a neat and fresh appearance. By the illustration (Fig. 22) the 

 reader will doubtless recognise its familiar form. As already 

 stated, its flowers are orange-yellow, very full, with petals evenly 

 arranged ; they are lin. across, and produced on round, short, 



