NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 89 



varieties should be taken up annually. As the foliage decays 

 the real roots will decay also ; the tubers will then gradually 

 mature, when they should be placed in paper bags, labelled 

 and put away in a dry, cool place till required for planting. 



Propagation ; by Seed. For double flowers save seed 

 only from semi-double blooms with well-formed flowers, and 

 bright, distinct colours. As the seed ripens at different 

 times, and is downy, it is in danger of being blown away 

 with the wind ; therefore it must be carefully gathered daily 

 as soon as it is ripe. Spread the seed on a sheet of paper, 

 lay it in a window facing the morning sun for a few days 

 until it is perfectly dry ; then put it in a bag, and keep it dry 

 till the sowing season. 



The common single Anemone seed may be sown im- 

 mediately it is ripe, in a prepared bed in the garden ; but 

 seed saved carefully, as described above, is deserving of a 

 little more trouble. Pans, pots, or boxes well drained may 

 be used, filled to within an inch of the surface with rich 

 compost, having a large proportion of sharp sand ; water a 

 few hours previous to sowing. Let this be done in August. 

 Prepare the seed for sowing by rubbing it between the hands 

 for a considerable time amongst some dry earth. This 

 should be done until the seeds are divested of their downy 

 covering, and separated from each other. Then sow the 

 seeds evenly and cover with some light sifted earth, using 

 only sufficient to cover the seed. The boxes and pans may 

 be covered with sheets of glass, and placed in a cold frame 

 or greenhouse. The surface should never be allowed to be- 

 come quite dry. Give air on all fine days ; as soon as the 

 young plants have made two or three leaves, they may be 

 exposed fully to the light and sun. Keep them duly 

 supplied with water until the leaves decay ; then sift two 

 inches of the surface through a very fine sieve, and carefully 

 pick out all the young tubers. Plant them in the following 

 August in the open bed, and treat them afterwards exactly 

 like old tubers until they flower, which will be in the second 

 year. 



Dividing the Roots. Anemones are easily increased by 

 breaking off one or more of the little knobs of the full-grown 

 tubers. These may be planted and managed exactly like 

 the old-established roots. 



