160 



PRACTICE OF GARDENING. 



should be rejected, as those of a moderate size -^ill 

 flower best. Particular care should also be taken to keep 

 the eye or bud of the tubers uppermost, other\\ise they 

 will not flower so well. Those planted in autumn will 

 probably requu'e some slight protection in very severe 

 weather, which may be efi'ected by placing dry litter or 

 straw on the beds, always removing it when the weather 

 is more favourable, and exposing them fully to light 

 and air. As soon as they appear above the ground, it is 

 recommended that the soil be pressed firmly about each 

 plant, to prevent any injury they might receive from 

 drought. As soon as the flowers expand, if some light 

 and thin shading is aflbrded them during the more 

 powerful heat of each day, they will continue in bloom a 

 much greater length of time, and also preserve theii- 

 colours better. The time for taking up the tubers is as 

 soon as the leaves decay ; but as anemones frequently 

 retain their leaves longer than is desired, some persons 

 shelter them with mats or canvas in very wet weather, 

 which tends to promote the fading of the leaves, by keep- 

 ing the plants dry. After the tubers are taken from the 

 soil, they should be carefully dried, and after all soil is 

 removed from them, (which should be done with great 

 care,) they should be stored in dry bags or boxes, till the 

 time for planting. The young ofi'sets or tubers should be 

 detached about a month after they are taken from the 

 ground, as it is said that they are liable to shrivel when 

 this is done too soon, and if it is deferred till the time 

 of planting, they are apt to rot. 



If the young tubers or offsets are planted in October, 

 in similar soil to that before recommended, they will 

 frequently flower the ensuing year, when they may be 

 treated in the same manner as the old tubers. Seed may- 

 be sown as soon as it is ripe, in tubs or boxes, in a 

 loamy soil, and covered very slightly with light earth ; 

 the boxes will require a trifling protection during the 

 winter, and in the spring they should be plunged their 

 whole depth in soil, and the plants should be well 

 watered during the summer, if requisite. As soon as the 

 leaves begin to wither, water should be gradually 

 ■vsithheld ; and the tubers may be taken up when the 



