Daniels Bros., Norwich , Autumn , i8gi 
3 
Remarks on Cultivation, &c. (continued) % 
Anemones. 
The Anemone, or “Windflower,’’ forms by far the most 
i splendid and interesting group of our tuberous-rooted flora, and 
although, perhaps, not quite so chaste and elegant in the form 
of its individual flowers as the Ranunculus, it certainly surpasses 
it in its fine effectiveness as a decorative plant. Grown in large 
or small bods, in patches, clumps of one colour, or mixed, they 
make charming groups amongst, and contrast finely with, most 
other plants, whilst the brilliant scarlets and fiery reds are 
exceedingly telling, when planted in double lines as an edging 
to large or small beds, shrubbery borders, &c. The Anemone is 
also invaluable as a pot plant for the decoration of the greenhouse 
or conservatory in early Spring, and is very useful as a cut-flower, 
besides being extremely hardy and easy of cultivation. The 
Anemone prefers a light rich loamy soil with a fair amount of 
moisture, and out of doors will succeed well with the same kind 
of treatment and soil as recommended for the Ranunculus, but 
any good garden soil that is not too heavy or wet will grow 
them well, and with but a small amount of trouble. For early 
Spring blooming plant from September to November inclusive, 
and for Summer and Autumn flowering plant in February, 
March, and April. The tubers may be planted at a depth of 
about three inches, and at a distance of about five or six inches 
between the plants. For greenhouse or conservatory decoration, 
the tubers should bo potted in October, and placed in a cool pit 
; or frame till February, when they should bo brought into the 
cool greenhouse, placed near the glass, and gradually brought 
i into bloom. When it is desirable to take up roots from the 
j open ground after flowering, they should, if possible, be allowed 
to remain till the leaves show signs of decay, when they may be 
carefully lifted, and gradually dried or ripened for replanting at 
some future date. 
Winter Aconites. 
The little Aconite, which blooms earlier than the Snowdrop, 
is invariably the first flower in the garden to greet us in the 
New' Year, and should always bo grown freely in sunny positions 
i near the house, or walks, for the pretty and ever welcome 
| display they make with their golden yellow flowers so early in 
I the season. They are extremely hardy, seem to thrive in any 
I soil or position, and planted in largo permanent clumps or 
I ) patches, they will grow freely under overhanging shrubs or 
trees, and may be left in the ground for years without injury. 
Chionodoxa luciliae. 
(Glory of the Snow). 
This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hardy Spring- 
flowering bulbs in cultivation, and at tho same time one of the 
very easiest to grow. In form of flower and habit of growth it 
resembles the well-known and highly prized Scilla Sibirica, 
.'but its flowers are larger, more open, and of the most beautiful 
•sky blue colour, the centres of the flowers being of a pure white, 
giving the plants a striking and charming appearance. It is 
extremely hardy, will thrive in any fair garden soil, and is 
admirably suited for planting in large clumps or patches on the 
border, as an edging to bods, rockeries, &c , and the bulbs, if 
left in the ground for several years, will thrive wonderfully. 
It is dlso well suited for pot culture, and planted six or eight in 
a five-inch pot, has a very pretty effect in the greenhouse. 
When the bulbs are planted out of doors, they should be placed 
not less than four inches deep, and about three inches apart, 
and to be effective, not less than ten to twelve should be planted 
in a patch. 
Crocuses. 
As foremost amongst the harbingers of early Spring, this 
beautiful class of the genus Iridacesc is at once the most lovely 
and hardy of our vernal favourites, and we may also add the 
most permanent. Almost every kind of soil or situation seems 
congenial to their development ; but soil which is fairly light 
and rich, and an open sunny aspect, are requisite to grow them 
to their fullest perfection of size and brilliancy. Planted in 
clumps or lines on mixed beds or borders, the pure whites, 
golden yellows, rich purples, soft blues, or the beautifully 
pencilled “ La Majesteuse ” are all and each very handsome ; 
but beds of purples or blues, edged with golden yellow or pure 
white, or a trio of colours planted in lines in front of shrubbery 
borders, &c., are exceedingly charming, and when expanding in 
the sunshine, form a sight not soon to be forgotten. Their 
culture is simple in the extreme. In planting out of doors, 
the bulbs, or more properly speaking conns, merely require to 
be dibbled in about threo inches deep, and two or three inches 
apart, and left to themselves; and if they can remain where 
planted for two or three years all the better, as they will then 
be found to have made a good increase, and may, after blooming, 
he taken up, divided, and replanted. The Crocus is admirably 
suited for cultivation in pots, pans, window boxes, &c , and when 
so grown the roots should be planted closely together to produce 
a good effect. When in pots, six or eight roots should bo planted 
in a pot of about five inches diameter, filled with light rich soil, 
and the pot plunged or buried to a depth of two or three inches 
in some kind of light porous soil or material, till the crowns 
begin to show signs of pushing through, when they should be 
placed near tho glass and kept well supplied with water. The 
fine named varieties are the best for this purpose. A few planted 
in shallow boxes of rich soil will be found very useful to lift, 
when coming into bloom, for planting in hanging-baskets, &c. 
The bulbs may be planted any time during September, October, 
or November; early planting is, however, much to be preferred, 
as those planted towards the end of the year never bloom so 
satisfactorily as those planted earlier in Autumn. 
Crown Imperials 
(Fritillaria imperialis). 
These stately growing hardy plants thrive best in a deep, 
rich, and moist soil, and in a position where they obtain a fair 
amount of sunshine, and at the same time sheltered from high 
winds; they will, however, grow well in any good garden soil, 
and if allowed to remain undisturbed for several years, will form 
huge picturesque groups of rare beauty. The pendent bell- 
shaped flowers vary in colour from deep chocolate red to reddish 
buff, orange and pure yellow, and are surmounted by a tuft of 
beautiful green foliage, giving the plants a fine appearance. The 
gold-striped, with its lovely variegated foliage, is especially 
handsome. Tho bulbs should be planted with their crowns four 
or five inches below the surface, and eight inches to a foot apart. 
Cyclamen. 
This beautiful class of Alpine plants is most admirably suited 
for Winter and Spring decoration of the greenhouse, con- 
servatory, or drawing-room, and should certainly be grown 
wherever a cool pit, frame, or greenhouse, or even a suitable 
window exists. The foliage of most of the varieties is beauti- 
fully marbled, the blooms of some are deliciously fragrant, 
whilst all are chaste and beautiful in form and habit of growth. 
The corms should he potted in September or as early as con- 
venient in October, using pots of five iuches in diameter, and a 
soil composed of rough sandy loam two parts, leaf-mould one 
part, and one part of well-decayed cow manure ; use the soil in 
a moderately moist condition, place the pots in a cool shady 
frame, and give but little water till growth commences; give 
an abundance of air and light on all favourable occasions during 
tho Spring growth, but with as little fluctuation of temperature 
as possible. While the blooms are forming, water more freely 
— occasionally with weak liquid manure — and keep the foliage 
clean by syringing or washing with a soft brush. By placing a 
few in a gentle heat they will bloom earlier and the display may 
bo prolonged. As soon as they have done blooming, remove 
them to a cool shady frame for the rest of the Summer, keeping 
them uniformly and moderately moist. Early in August, or 
sooner if they are seen to be forming young growths, lot them 
be at once potted, and still maintain thorn iu a mean temperature 
of about fifty-five degrees, affording gradually all the light 
possible, eventually, as the season merges into Autumn, 
removing them to a warm shelf and somewhat elevated in tho 
greenhouse. The varieties of C. Europium and C. hederafolium 
arc comparatively hardy, and will succeed well, planted iu shady 
nooks of rock-work under overhanging evergreen shrubs, &c., 
but where planted in more exposed positions should have some 
slight protection in Winter. 
