CULTURE OF THE ANEMONE, OR WIND-FLOWER. 
19 
have as much sunshine as can be given them, or the roots will not be fine and 
plump. 
14. When the roots are taken up, cut off their dead stems nearly close to the root ; 
spread them in a shady, but airy room, to dry gradually, and frequently turn them, 
or they are liable to mould. 
15. When they are about half dry, clean and separate the dirt from them. This 
must be done with great care, as they are very brittle, much more so than ranun- 
culuses : and should any pieces be broken off in the operation, these must be 
preserved and planted by themselves ; for they will all make flowering plants if 
they possess eyes, which will very probably be the case. 
16. In about a month after the roots are taken up, separate the offsets from 
them : this is a far better time than either at the time of cleaning, or planting ; for 
in the first case the smaller offsets, by being separated so early, become very 
shrivelled, and the larger ones lose their plumpness ; and if separated at the time 
of planting, the wounds of neither the parent root nor the offsets have time to 
heal, and are therefore liable to perish in the ground. 
17. When dry, put them in bags or boxes, exactly as recommended for the 
ranunculus, vol. i., p. 44, rule 10. 
18. Propagation by Seeds. — Select well formed and brilliant coloured single or 
semi-double flowers, from which to collect the seed. The greater part of the plant, 
grown from seeds, will of course prove single^ but a few very good ones may be 
expected. 
19. Gather the seed every day as it ripens, and when a quantity is gathered, sow 
it immediately. This may be done either on a bed, or in boxes or pans : if in either 
of the latter, give a good drainage, and let the soil with which they are filled be a 
mixture of light loam and leaf mould, 
20. The downy substance with which anemone seed is enveloped, renders it 
difficult to be sown in a regular manner. To remedy this, it is necessary to mix 
a quantity of fine sand with the seed at the time of sowing, which, if well rubbed 
with it, will prevent it from falling on the bed in lumps. 
21. If sown in pots or pans, treat them exactly in the same manner as recom- 
mended for seedling ranunculuses, vol. ii, page 45, rule 15. But if sown on a 
bed, little trouble is required, except to shelter the bed a little during winter, and 
allow them to remain until they flower ; top dressing when they require it, by 
sifting a thin layer of good rich soil over the bed, having previously loosened the 
surface of the bed fi r th^ purpose. After they have flowered, the bulbs may be 
taken up and planted in tlie borders or on beds, and treated as old roots. 
