282 THE CULTURE OF FLOWERING BULBS 



value early in the year than at a later period, when many other sub- 

 jects brighten the garden, that it is scarcely worth while to plant so 

 late as March. 



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

 and flowers. It does not resent forcing to the same extent as the 

 Ranunculus ; nevertheless, cool treatment is almost essential to do 

 it full justice. The potting should be done in batches to insure a 

 succession of flowers, and the first lot may be put in at the end of 

 August or beginning of September. They should have the benefit 

 of really good soil ; a mixture of leaf-mould and loam, with the 

 addition of a little powdered charcoal, will suit them exactly. In 

 preparing the pots, place a layer of light manure above the crocks, 

 which will assist the drainage and benefit the plants. Then fill with 

 compost to within two inches of the top, and lay in the roots ; add 

 soil to a level with the rim, and press lightly down. The strongest 

 roots should, of course, be selected for potting, and it will need more 

 than a hasty glance to put them in with the eyes upwards. One or 

 more roots may be planted in each pot, according to the size of the 

 latter. 



The early plantings can be, placed in any warm position out of 

 doors, such as under a south wall ; but after the middle of October 

 remove to a cold pit, or on to the greenhouse stage. Watering is 

 all the attention they will require, and of this there must be no stint, 

 especially during the blooming period. A high temperature at any 

 stage is needless, and if they are just kept out of the reach of frost 

 they will take excellent care of themselves. 



Anemones are adapted for many decorative purposes ; they make 

 capital window plants, and their sharply cut foliage is very ornamental 

 in the drawing-room or on the dinner table. 



BABIANA 



BABIANAS are delicately constituted, but extremely elegant plants 

 when well grown, though far from showy, and appealing rather to the 

 educated eye for appreciation of their blue and purple oculate flowers. 

 The culture is the same as for the Ixia, and we incline strongly to the 

 practice of keeping the bulbs at least two seasons in the same pots. 



