ANNUAL FLOWERS. 237 



vals along the flower border, taking care to alter- 

 nate the colours. The Christmas rose, flowering 

 so early, as the name imports, has still something 

 to add to this more genial season. The snowdrop 

 is fine upon grass, along with the crocus ; on the 

 borders, if abundant, it must be in small spots well 

 distant. Different species of Narcissus are valu- 

 able before summer comes with her full hand : 

 namely, the daffodil, which needs no care ; the 

 jonquil, of sweetest perfume, but more delicate, 

 requiring shelter and a free soil, rather rich but not 

 with recent manure. Add for spring beauty, prim- 

 roses, single, double, and of various hues ; a large 

 assortment of the auricula and polyanthus, not the 

 highly cultivated of either, which will be noticed 

 in their place, but such as are hardy and show 

 plenty of colour; some patches of anemone, raised 

 from seed : and various exotic heaths, giving early 

 food to the bee and anticipating the glow of summer. 

 Omitting the endless list of bulbous and fibrous 

 perennials, which maybe collected by degrees, as 

 hinted above, the names of a moderate assortment 

 of annuals cannot fail to be useful. Annuals are 

 not to be picked up as other flowers may be ; the 

 seed must be ordered, and the names may either 

 not be known or may not occur; besides, mistakes 

 might arise from not distinguishing between such 

 as agree with common sowing and those that re- 

 quire the help of a hotbed. Of the under list, 

 which are hardy enough for ordinary shelter and 

 elevation, ten or twenty, according to the means of 



