88 NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



that is, the interior and exterior petals striped, the colours 

 should be very distinct, for even cloudiness, or irregular 

 broken stripes, are objectionable. The stem should be 

 elastic, yet stout enough to bear the flower erect, and should 

 be, at least, from eight to nine inches high. 



Soil and Situation. The Anemone requires a pure 

 loamy soil, well mixed with sand. Choose a situation that is 

 open, but sheltered from violent winds, or strong twisting 

 currents of air. Mix the soil with sand if it require it, and 

 dig in a thin covering of thoroughly decomposed hotbed 

 manure or cow manure ; the latter is to be preferred. No 

 manure must be among the top stratum of soil, because it 

 causes the peculiar disease called mould to attack the bulbs 

 that come in contact with it. 



Planting. The best season is frpm about the middle of 

 April to the end of May ; the bulbs then form roots 

 before severe frosts set in. Some, however, prefer planting 

 in August, especially if the Autumn be wet. Choose a 

 time when the soil is moderately dry, and the day fine. 

 Draw drills across the bed two inches deep and five or six 

 inches apart, and plant the tubers five inches apart in the 

 rows. For choice varieties, a thin layer of sand scattered 

 under and around each tuber will be useful. As soon as 

 the bed is planted, cover the tubers with sandy loam. 

 Take care that the tubers are placed the right side up, by 

 observing the side that has the old small fibres on it, that 

 side being placed next to the bottom of the drill. When all 

 are planted and covered up the right depth (two inches) 

 then level the surface with a garden rake. 



After- Management. Should the weather prove dry in 

 Spring give a thorough watering now and then. The bloom 

 will be greatly prolonged if an awning of canvas be stretched 

 over the bed, upon a frame of hoops, to shelter the flowers 

 from the sun, from high winds, and heavy splashing rains ; 

 but measures of this kind are rarely resorted to in this 

 country, it would, however, repay the trouble to do so. All 

 weeds must be pulled up as they appear, and a deligent 

 watch kept for slugs. 



Taking up and Storing the Roots. Very little trouble 

 need be taken with the common single varieties, especially if 

 they have been planted in clumps. But the fine double 



