104 CULTIVATION. 



trees ; and the florist must bestow considerable 

 labour and skill to check or defend this forward 

 propensity in his favourite anemones. 



The anemone is propagated, and new varie- 

 ties are obtained, by sowing- the seed. This 

 should be chosen from the best old flowers im- 

 pregnated with semi-double flowers, having the 

 desirable properties of rich colour and fine form. 

 The seed, being volatile, should be gathered as it 

 ripens, and preserved in a dry place till the month 

 of January, when it should be sown. It requires 

 to be prepared for sovving by being mixed with 

 and well rubbed in sand, to divest it of its downy 

 covering. The seed-bed should be composed 

 entirely of fresh garden ground or loam, from 

 twelve to eighteen inches deep, which has been 

 well aerated, to free it from earth-worms and 

 insects. And, for the better security against 

 these, a layer of quick-lime, three inches thick, 

 should be laid in the bottom of the bed : and, to 

 prevent the approach of slugs or worms to the 

 surface, the outskirts of the bed should be fre- 

 quently sprinkled with lime or salt water. 



