18 CULTURE OF THE ANEMONE, OR WIND-FLOWER. 
I 
flower by the middle of June- But if it is desired to have them flowering the whole 
year, plant exactly as recommended for ranunculuses, vol. i., p. 45, rules 11 — J 3. 
3. The best season for planting, to ensure a good bloom, is February, because all | 
danger is then over of their perishing by frost or excessive wet. Those planted in ' 
the autumn will be a little sooner, and are sometimes as fine as can be wished. 
This depends, however, on the fineness of the weather during winter; for if they 
are not sheltered from excessive wet or severe frosts, the roots are liable to rot. 
4. Use long litter, in preference to rotten dung, for sheltering the roots from 
frost. The latter often doing more injury than the frost, from which they 
are intended to be protected. 
5. In planting, either during autumn, spring, or summer, never plant in holes 
made with a dibber, but either draw broad drills, or, what is far better, mark with 
a rod some lines across the bed, six inches apart ; place the roots carefully with the 
crowns upwards, six inches apart in the rows ; then cover them with not more than 
two inches thickness of light dry soil. 
6. Never select large overgrown roots for planting in a flowering bed ; they are 
usually hollow, and often decayed in the inside, and seldom flower well, sometimes 
not at all ; but choose roots of a moderate size, that appear fresh and plump. 
7. It is indispensable that no raw turf be in the soil in which the roots are planted, 
or they will not grow well in it. 
8. When the leaves appear above ground, choose a dry day to press the soil firmly 
about the roots, which is done best with the hand ; for, if the weather proves dry, 
the crowns of the roots, if exposed, will receive injury. 
9. If the weather proves dry through April and May, the beds will require 
watering ; and this must be continued, as often as necessary, until they are in full 
bloom. 
10. In all situations where the sun has great power, the beds will require shading, 
or the leaves will become yellow, and but few flowers will be produced. When they 
come into flower, shading is always necessary, or the rays of the sun will affect the 
brilliancy of the flowers, and the growth of the roots ; but no shading should be 
nearer the ground than a foot and a half, nor must it prevent a free current of air 
passing under it, or the stems will be weakly. It must, also, be so fixed, that it 
may be rolled up morning and evening to allow the plants to receive a little sun, or 
the colours will be pale. But if the cultivator is not particular about the colours 
running a little, shading need not be resorted to at all, except in excessively dry hot 
weather. 
11. Never allow the roots to remain in the ground after the herbage is dead. 
They continue in a state of growth much longer after flowering than the ranunculus^, 
which no doubt arises from the more succulent nature of their roots. 
12. If the weather be wet after the plants have done flowering, still allow the 
covering to remain over the bed, to prevent the roots from absorbing too much 
moisture ; or the foliage does not die down at the usual time, nor do the roots attempt 
to ripen, but often strike roots again, and thus become much weakened. 
13. If it is necessary to shelter the beds from excessive rains, yet the plants must 
