88 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



leaves ; or if brought into the house too early the effect will 

 be the same ; therefore keep them out of doors as long as 

 the frost keeps off, and you will find your labor well paid 

 by a splendid display of flowers. 



This plant is a greedy one, and requires a deal of water, 

 and such is the nature of the plant that you may water the 

 foliage in the middle of summer when the sun is shining 

 and it will appear to thrive the better, which is contrary to 

 the nature of other plants. Many will water this plant 

 with liquid manure, but I would not advise it unless by 

 a person of some experience, as the plants may be burnt 

 before you are aware of its tendency. I once saw a valua- 

 ble collection destroyed this way, which makes me add this 

 caution. The Chrysanthemum is sometimes propagated 

 by dividing the roots ; this should be done in June, but the 

 plants raised this way are never as good as those by cut- 

 tings, nor their flowers as fine. 



CROCUS. 



This is a bulbous rooted plant, perfectly hardy, and of 

 easy culture. This family is composed of a great variety of 

 sorts and colors, all natives of Europe. Their complication 

 of colors in the early spring gives them a most agreeable 

 and imposing appearance, particularly as it is one of the 

 first flowers ; is easily propagated by offsets or seeds, and 

 will grow in any garden soil without difficulty. 



To propagate from seed it is important to sow them as 



