3+ FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 
weather that usually prevails in its flowering season. The 
plant is a native of Southern Europe, and needs for its 
perfect development better conditions than are usually 
secured for it in English gardens, more especially as it 
flowers at a time of year when the clements are in a mood 
to make war upon every green herb, and tear away the one 
last leaf that still hangs upon the tree. To put this plant 
in a common border is not quite fair to it. A sheltered 
nook should be chosen, and a plot of ground prepared by 
draining it thoroughly, unless it is naturally well drained 
alrendy, and by deep digging and liberal manuring. It 
does not need any particular kind of soil, for any fairly 
good garden loam will suit it perfectly, but the station 
should be well prepared, and the plants should be put out 
upon it when their leaves are dying down, and they are 
going naturally to vest. Sheltered, half-shaded, grassy 
banks answer admirably for plantations that are to be left 
to flower naturally, but the plantation in the sheltered 
nook we are now considering is not to be left to flower 
naturally. As soon as they begin to push in the late 
autumn they should all be covered with frames or hand- 
lights, which must be freely ventilated in mild weather, 
but during frost must be kept close, both to prevent a 
check and protect the flowers. By such management early 
flowers will be secured, and they will be large, thick, and 
pure. Like those of the white Japan anemone, they may 
be likened to water-lilies, but they need not be likened to 
anything—it is enough to know that they are Christmas 
roses. An anonymous poet, weaving the “ winter rose ” 
into the garland of his hopes and cares, has indulged in the 
fancy that the flower is fragrant, but it requires quite a 
poet’s imagination to extract an odour from the Hower. 
