358 FLOWERS ALL THE YEAR ROUND 



OCTOBER 



ANEMONE. The tuberous-rooted Anemones may be planted in the 

 open at any time from September to January, and by successive 

 plantings a continuous display will be obtained from February until 

 far into spring. For the choice named varieties it is customary for 

 connoisseurs to make elaborate preparations, into which we need not 

 enter here. Splendid flowers can be grown in clumps and beds in 

 ordinary gardens by deep digging, and the employment of a liberal 

 dressing of decayed cow-manure. Plant the roots from four to six 

 inches apart, and at a uniform depth of about three inches. In a 

 heavy retentive soil it is not advisable to risk a collection of named 

 Anemones until January, unless a deep layer of light compost can be 

 placed in the drills where the roots are to be planted. 



ANNUALS, HARDY. It will be safe to transplant these to light 

 soils now ; but on heavy land the hazard is too great, and it will be 

 wise to wait until February or March. Lift the plants with as much 

 soil attached to the roots as possible. 



CROCUS. Several flowers bloom in advance of, or as early as, the 

 Crocus ; but no other bulb can compare with it for brightness and 

 effective colouring. Plant during this and the next month in groups 

 and patterns wherever there is a vacant plot, and bulbs can be found 

 to fill it. Put them in at a uniform depth of about three inches. 

 Drills are easy to draw, and are better for the bulbs than the objection- 

 able plan of dibbling. 



CYCLAMEN seed may be sown at almost any time of year, but we 

 regard this month and November as the most important period for 

 making a start with this flower. If properly grown, seedlings raised 

 now will bloom splendidly next autumn. Instructions for sowing are 

 given under January. 



GLADIOLUS. By the end of the month lift roots which have 

 flowered, even if the foliage is still green. Label them, and hang in 

 an airy place to dry. A little later remove the foliage with a sharp 

 knife. Then lay out the roots for about a fortnight, and when ready 

 store them in paper bags or boxes placed on a safe dry shelf. 



HOLLYHOCK. In favoured districts and in light soil it will be 

 safe to winter this plant in the open ground with merely the protec- 

 tion of a little dry litter. But in damp adhesive land it will be 

 perilous, and a cold frame must afford the requisite protection until 

 May returns. 



