36 BULBS AND THEIR CULTIVATION, 



under the shade of fruit trees, and where there is ample 

 protection from cold winds. The tubers may be planted 

 in October or November for the earliest flowering, and in 

 February or March for successional supplies. Draw drills 

 three inches deep and six inches apart, and plant the 

 tubers six inches apart therein, then cover with soil. In 

 the case of those planted in autumn, place a layer of 

 twiggy tree branches over the bed. This will afford the 

 slight protection the early flowers need. After the foliage 

 has died, lift the tubers, and store them in shallow boxes 

 in a cool place till replanting time. To obtain a good 

 supply of flowers, especially of the St. Brigid strain, it is 

 really better to rear the plants from seed. The seed 

 germinates very readily in good soil, and you get very 

 strong plants. The seeds should be mixed with some sand 

 or dry mould, and the whole well rubbed together to 

 separate the fluffy seeds. They can either be sown broad- 

 cast and raked in or in shallow drills six inches apart. If 

 you buy seeds, try and sow them in January or February, 

 not later ; if you save your own, then sow in July or August, 

 as soon as the seeds are ripe. Seeds sown in March and 

 later do not germinate so freely. Germination takes place 

 very slowly indeed, consequently patience is needed. It 

 usually takes seven months from the time the seed is 

 sown till the plants flower. Those sown early in the year 

 will flower in autumn ; those sown in August the following 

 spring. The beds must be well watered in dry weather. 

 The roots may be allowed to remain in their beds so long 

 as they continue healthy. We prefer to make a fresh 

 sowing annually, and to discard the old roots after 

 flowering. 



As regard the Scarlet Windflower (A. hortensis fulgens) 

 and its double variety the Peacock Anemone (A. hortensis 

 pavonia), these are best grown on a partially shady 

 rockery, in a compost of rich loam and old mortar. Plant 

 the tubers in autumn, and do not lift annually. 



Aplos.. A hardy climbing plant bearing fragrant 



