clunuals and Brennials. 595 
Anemones prefer a somewhat lighter soil than Ranunculuces, 
but both will flourish where the above conditions are attainable. 
It is customary to grow them in beds or borders by themselves, 
and when these are artificially made, the best material to select 
is turfy loam that has been stacked and tured about until the 
herbage is decomposed. The inclination of the ground should be 
towards the south or east, and the situation tolerably open, that 
is to say, sheltered, but not shaded. Anemones for the principal 
flowering should be planted in September or October. If planted 
in spring they produce a far less luxuriant growth. The proper 
depth is about three inches, or rather less in a compact soil. 
The Turban Ranunculuses may also be planted in autumn, but 
the Persian, being rather tenderer, should be deferred till early 
spring. Ranunculuses prefer a cool, slightly retentive soil, 
but.the drainage must be efficient. Watering is sometimes 
necessary, and should be carefully done. Protection from frost 
should be afforded, or the foliage and inflorescence will suffer. 
Another condition is firmness of tke soil around the roots. 
6. Culture of Annuals and Biennials. 
Plants of annual or biennial duration possess so many valuable 
qualities that they are quite indispensable in the flower garden. 
Some are cherished for their frayrance, as the Sweet Pea, 
Mignonette, and Stocks ; others for the showiness and the variety 
of their brilliantly coloured flowers, as Poppies, Zinnias, and 
Asters; others for their diminutive, compact habit, and pro- 
fusion of flowers, as Leptosiphon and Ionopsidium; others for 
the duration of their scarious flower-heads, as Helichrysum 
and Waitzia; and others again for the elegance and grace of 
their inflorescence, as Humea elegans and Agrostis nebulosa. 
A large number of perennials, many of them tender, are com- 
monly treated as annuals, and flower the first season. The fact 
of their being amenable to this mode of treatment is usually 
mentioned under the description. A notable case in point is 
the Lobelia Erinus, a difficult plant to preserve through the 
winter, but easily raised from seed, which it produces in great 
abundance. Annuals are of the greatest service for filling up 
vacant spaces, or, when judiciously selected, for growing by 
themselves in beds or borders. Such plants as the China Aster, 
Zinnia, and Phlox Drummondii, muke very effective beds, either 
with their varieties mixed, or in separaté colours. Another 
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