May.] FLOWER GARDEN. 395 



inches high, supporting a large well -formed flower, at least two 

 inches in diameter, consisting of numerous petals, the largest at the 

 outside, and gradually diminishing in size as they approach the 

 centre, which should be well filled up. 



The blossom should be of a hemispherical form, and its compo- 

 nent petals imbricated in such a manner as neither to be too close 

 and compact nor too widely separated, but have rather more of a 

 perpendicular than of a horizontal direction, to display its colours 

 with better effect. 



The petals should be broad, and have perfectly entire well round- 

 ed edges; their colours should be dark, clear, rich, or brilliant, 

 either consisting of one colour throughout, or be otherwise variously 

 diversified on an ash, white, sulphur, or fire colour ground, or re- 

 gularly striped, spotted, or mottled, in an elegant manner. 



There are more numerous varieties of beautiful double ranun- 

 culuses than of any other flower. 



Anemones. 



Gentle and moderate waterings will be necessary for anemones, 

 during their period of flowering, as well as for ranunculuses; the 

 blossoms and petals of the former are of a more soft and flexible 

 texture than those of the latter, and are consequently more liable 

 to receive injury from high winds and heavy rains; their colours 

 soon fade when exposed to a strong sun; it is, therefore, equally 

 necessary to shade and shelter them whilst in bloom, in order to 

 prolong the extreme beauty of their flowers. 



Anemones continue longer after bloom in a state of vegetation 

 than ranunculuses, probably because of their greater degree of suc- 

 culency; and even at the proper time to take them up, it will some- 

 times happen, that part of their foliage will not be entirely divested 

 of greenness and moisture; when it thus happens, which it does 

 more frequently in rainy or wet seasons, much skill is necessary to 

 ascertain the critical period to take up the roots; for if they are 

 suffered to remain too long, especially if the season be moist, they 

 will shoot afresh, and be thereby materially weakened and injured; 

 it is indeed better to take them up too early, than suffer them to 

 vegetate in this manner, but the roots will not be so firm and solid 

 as if done at the exact time. The safest and most effectual method 

 to preserve them from these disagreeable consequences, is to keep 

 ofT all heavy rains after the bloom is quite over, by means of mats 

 and hoops, but on no account suffer the ground to become too dry; 

 the roots will then regularly and gradually mature, and the foliage 

 in due time will become brown and dry, which will point out the 

 true time to take up the roots, and this will usually happen to be 

 about a month after bloom. 



For their subsequent treatment, see the Flower Garden for next 

 month. 



Ji Description of the Properties of a fine Double Anemone. 



The stem should be strong, elastic, and erect, not less than nine 

 or ten inches high. 



