268 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



been imported from Holland, particularly by Mr. Lawson, 

 of Edinburgh. 



The soil and culture are so nearly the same as in the 

 ranunculus that it is needless to specify them. The plant 

 continues longer in the flower, and the leaves often remain 

 so long green that it is difficult to find a period of inaction 

 in which to take up the roots. It has been recommended 

 that, as soon as the bloom is over, the bed should be 

 screened from rain by mattings until the leaves wither. As 

 the tuberous roots are rather brittle, they require consider- 

 able care in handling. Anemones are easily raised from 

 the seed. A bed of single anemones, it may be remarked, 

 is a valuable addition to a flower garden, as it affords, in a 

 warm situation, an abundance of handsome and often bril- 

 liant spring flowers, almost as clearly as the snow-drop or 

 the crocus. 



When the bloom of the hyacinth, tulip, ranunculus, or 

 anemone, is over, the beds should be filled up with small 

 showy annuals, which will soon restore their gay aspect. 

 These annuals are to be raised on a hot bed, and kept in it, 

 or in patches in a piece of reserve ground, till wanted. 



The Narcissus is an extensive genus, including a great 

 many interesting species and varieties. It belongs, how- 

 ever, rather to the botanico-florist than to the florist proper ; 

 but, as it contains many plants of great elegance, it ought 

 to receive more general attention. The Polyanthus Nar- 

 cissus (N. Tazetta) affords the varieties which are yearly 

 cultivated by florists, the bulbs of which are yearly im- 

 ported in quantities from Holland. These prosper in a 

 light soil, containing a little well-rotted dung. The roots 

 should not be stirred more frequently than once in three 

 years ; and this remark applies also to Narcissus Jonquila 

 and odorus, the small and large jonquil, of which fragrant 



