Trcmsactions of the Horticultural Society. 43 



lection which is now to be described have been so obtained. Crocus vemus 

 sports more extensively, and produces more varieties than any other ; but 

 hitherto, as far as my observation has extended, a very large proportion of 

 its seedlings are destitute of peculiar merit, and those which can be con- 

 sidered worthy of selection and description are of rare occurrence. 



" In the year 1809, Mr. Haworth published in the Transactions (vol. i. 

 p. 122.) of this Society a paper on the cultivation of crocuses, with a brief 

 notice of some species and varieties, all garden plants, altogether amount- 

 ing to thirteen kinds. It is much to be lamented that his description was 

 not extended to all with which he was acquainted, and that he never com- 

 municated subsequently an account of the different kinds he knew. No one 

 was at that time so well qualified as he was to give a complete account of 

 the whole genus. His paper, in addition to the scientific descriptions, con- 

 tains very useful instructions for the raising of seedling crocuses in boxes, 

 a practice in which he had acquired much experience. Mr. Haworth de- 

 scribes 9 species ; to all of these I have referred, considering 8 as distinct, 

 and have placed the other species (C obovatus) among the varieties of C. 

 vernus, to which it appears to me strictly to belong. 



" The cultivation and management of crocuses is not a matter of diffi- 

 culty ; they succeed best in a light dry soil, but do not like frequent 

 removals. Many of the kinds increase rapidly by reproduction of their 

 bulbs ; but these blossom well, notwithstanding their being left very thick 

 together. The new bulbs are formed above and on the old one, which is 

 only annual, perishing after the reproduction of its progeny. Each old 

 bulb produces one or more fasciculi or bunches of leaves, and a new bulb 

 is formed at the base of each fasciculus ; so that when only one fasciculus is 

 produced, one new bulb only is formed, and the increase of the number of 

 bulbs in each season depends on the number of the fasciculi of leaves. When 

 they have been taken up, the bulbs should be kept out of the ground as 

 little time as possible ; the longer the planting of them is delayed, the more 

 defective wUl be their appearance in the succeeding season. They may be 

 planted either in circular patches in the borders, or in rows across narrow 

 beds, and arranged according to their colours, their classifications, or 

 periods of their flowering, as the fancy of the cultivator may direct. When 

 planted in rows, the roots should be placed in double lines, the two lines 

 being contiguous to each other j the effect to the eye by this is far superior 

 to that produced by single lines. A collection looks best when planted in 

 considerable quantity, and is particularly splendid when several beds are 

 near to each other. A very good appearance is produced by planting a 

 compartment thickly with various kinds, so as to cover the whole bed in 

 any pattern that may be devised. The disposition of the kinds should be 

 in broad, not narrow stripes ; and the colours of the kinds placed next to 

 each other should be well contrasted. When the plants are all in flower, 

 the whole resembles a richly coloured carpet. 



" The earliest kinds show their colours in the end of January or begin- 

 ning of February, sooner or later according to the season ; the blossoms of 

 the general mass of the collection are in perfection through March, and the 

 later-flowering varieties of C. vernus continue in beauty during the best 

 part of April. 



" Crocuses require no protection in winter except from mice, which 

 attack them very voraciously, frequently destroying the whole of the roots, 

 if they are suffered to continue their depredations unmolested. Rabbits 

 also will eat both the leaves and the flowers of several of the kinds ; they 

 are particularly fond of the varieties of C. biflorus. The common house- 

 sparrows, as has been noticed by Curtis {Botanical Magazine, folio 45.), are 

 so fond of picking the blossoms, especially of the large yellow crocus, that 

 they will soon destroy the beauty of a collection if they are not kept away ; 

 and, on this account, a plantation of the roots is best when situated at a 



