FEBRUARY. 
35 
with snow; and in open, mild seasons they often flower in January. They 
will grow in almost any soil or situation—in the shade, under trees, hedges, or 
any out-of-the-way place ; so that every person who likes, that has a bit of 
ground, can grow them. In modern gardens they should be grown chiefly as 
edgings—a bed of Winter Aconite with a broad edging of Snowdrops, has a 
pretty effect. They are also suitable for small beds; but the double variety 
is best for this purpose. In borders, shrubberies, and by the sides of walks 
through plantations, they should be grown in large patches. In this way they 
have a fine appearance; and, when any are wanted for immediate effect in 
the flower garden, they can be lifted in bunches and planted when required. 
When done flowering the arrangement of the modern flower garden will 
generally necessitate their removal before the leaves decay; but if lifted care¬ 
fully and planted in an open border they will not suffer much, and if they are 
allowed to remain there two or three years undisturbed the roots will multiply 
exceedingly, when they can be again lifted in bunches for the flower garden, to 
be afterwards planted in a similar situation. 
The Crocus. —The several varieties of Crocus have been, and still are, 
great ornaments in the flower gardens during the months of February and 
March. Many beautiful varieties of Dutch origin have been recently brought 
into cultivation. They are very superior to the old sorts which have 
hitherto been in the flower garden, being of divided colours, and having large, 
well-formed, handsome flowers. It is only surprising that more had not been 
done in this way previously. 
For five or six weeks in the early part of the season they are invaluable as 
decorative plants. In bright sunshiny weather their brilliant colours are very 
showy and dazzling. All the varieties are very hardy, and increase exceedingly 
by their roots, especially if they are allowed to remain two or three years 
unremoved. They will grow in almost any soil or situation, but prefer a sandy 
loam. September is the best season for planting; but, as the beds are not 
always at liberty so early, they do very well if planted in October. Some of 
the varieties are very effective when planted in beds; but they are generally 
more commonly planted for edgings, and in this way they make a good display, 
more especially if the edging be a good width—not less than from 8 to 10 inches. 
They require no care until the leaves begin to turn yellow, when they should 
be taken up and kept dry until September, taking special care the mice do not 
get to them. If they do not interfere with anything they need not be taken 
up oftener than once in three or four years; but should not be left longer, as 
the young bulbs are formed on the top of the others, and come nearer to the 
surface every year. The old varieties are very plentiful and cheap, and should 
be planted extensively in bunches in borders, shrubberies, and on the sides of 
walks through plantations. They give a gay appearance to these in February 
and March. 
The Dog’s-tooth Violet. —This pretty flower has been cultivated, time 
out of mind, in the flower garden ; but is not so common as many other bulbous 
plants, no doubt owing to its not producing offsets so plentifully as some. It 
loves a shady situation and a light loamy soil. It may be transplanted any 
time after the beginning of June, when the leaves will be quite decayed, till 
the middle of September; but the roots should not be too often removed, nor 
should they be kept very long out of the ground, for if they shrink they will 
frequently rot. They may be planted in small beds, or as edgings; also in 
patches in the borders. 
The Hepatica (Red, White and Blue, Double and Single).—These are 
very great ornaments in the early part of the season. The flowers are pro¬ 
duced in February and March in great plenty, before the young leaves appear, 
