242 ANEMONE. 



a thousand flowers. It happens, however, in the 

 course of cultivation, and in the multitude of 

 chances, increased by all varieties of soil and cli- 

 mate, that double flowers do occur; and as the roots 

 of these send out tubers which also give double 

 flowers, they may be increased to any amount, and 

 are to be had of sufficient fineness and variety at 

 no great expence. The principal colours are red, 

 pink, crimson, rosy, white, and blue, with various 

 shades and mixture of colours. It is a good pro- 

 perty of these flowers to have the plain colours 

 brilliant, and the mixed colours distinct ; and in 

 planting a bed it is of great consequence to have the 

 colours duly blended, to have some breadth for 

 effect, and to have such juxtaposition of the roots 

 as may cause the leaves to meet, clothing the ground 

 with soft green, whilst the flowers, as it were, catch- 

 ing fire at each other's light, dazzle and burn in va- 

 ried brightness. The width of planting is deter- 

 mined by the meeting of the leaves, which will vary 

 according to climate and richness of soil say four, 

 five, or six inches between the drills, and one inch 

 less between each plant in the row. The best man- 

 ure is turf from old pasture mixed with half its 

 bulk of cow's dung, kept and frequently turned till 

 the mass be well rotted and pulverized. 1 The bed 



1 The author feels reluctant to introduce amongst pretty flowers 

 the coarse word for manure in the absolute; and, being aware that 

 a work on matters of taste should be itself also tasteful, was willing 

 throughout to have avoided the above name which, as he under- 

 stands is not pleasant to readers of the town. But being obliged 

 to write of such a thing, and finding it impossible to do without 



