130 THE FLORIST AND 



anticipating the prestige of liberty which rolls westward, we find our own 

 continent rich in the same family of plants. 



Botanists arrange the genus Anemone in the order Ranunculacese of the 

 Natural, and in the class Polyandria, and order Polygynia, of the Linnaean 

 system. It is composed of an aggregate of low herbaceous plants, mostly 

 quite hardy, and all perennial, some being fibrous and others tuberous roots. 

 Amongst the handsomest species are A. Pulsatilla, apennina, japonica, 

 vitaefolia, sylvestris, nemorosa (with the double variety), caroliniana and 

 vernalis ; but the two most commonly known amongst cultivators as the 

 Anemone are, A. hortensis and A. coronaria, thelatter of which (a native of 

 the Levant) has been so much cared for as to be considered worthy of 

 coming under the cognomen "Florist's Flower." This species in a natural 

 state is single, but the double varieties are considered to be the handsomest. 

 The colors are of every shade, from nearly pure white down to almost blue- 

 black, embracing the various grades of scarlet, purple and striped. It is 

 tuberous rooted, and not sufficiently hardy to withstand our most rigorous 

 winters. As this is the most beautiful and esteemed, a few remarks on the 

 cultivation and standard excellence may be of use. 



Criterion of a good Anemone. — The stem should be erect, strong and 

 pliable, not less than nine inches high. The flower should be about two 

 and a half inches across, composed of an even, well rounded row of outer 

 petals, substantial in substance, slightly incurved on the edges, but lying 

 flat in the base, forming a shallow saucer-like shape. The centre of the 

 blossom ought to be filled up with a compact mass of strap-formed petals 

 (petaloid stamens), regularly imbricated, lying evenly over each other and 

 slightly reflexed ; occasionally the abortive pistils form another series 'of 

 smaller petals in the extreme centre, and make the flower still handsomer. 

 Sometimes the guard leaves are of a different color to the inner petals, 

 other examples are striped, while some are entirely selfs ; in all cases, the 

 colors should be distinctly defined and bright ; all gradations are equally 

 admired, provided they be pure. In England, and similar mild climates, 

 the Anemone is cultivated in the open ground, without more protection 

 than a slight covering in winter, and a screen for the flowers during bloom- 

 ing time ; but in our climate it is better to treat it as a cold frame plant, 

 for although it may be protected in the open ground in winter sufficiently 

 to keep the roots from perishing, and likewise covered when in flower, the 

 fierce rays of the sun during its most active growth are too intense, and are 

 apt to scorch the leaves, causing the flowers to be few and small. If planted 

 in a frame, and treated as we do Neapolitan violets, and other plants of 



