CULTURE OF THE ANEMONE. 
95 
whole year, plant exactly as recommended for ranunculuses, Vol. 3, 
page 173. 
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 earlier in flower, 
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. 
Use long litter, in preference to rotten dung, for sheltering the 
roots from frost. The latter often does more injury than the frost, 
from which the plants are intended to be protected. 
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 thick¬ 
ness of light dry soil. 
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 
rather fresh and plump. 
It is indispensable that no raw turf be in the soil of the bed, for if 
the roots come in contact with it, they will not grow well. 
When the leaves appear above ground, choose a dry day to press 
the soil firmly about the roots, which is best done with the hand, 
for, if the weather proves dry, the crowns of the roots, if exposed, will 
be injured. 
If the weather be dry through April or May, the beds will require 
watering; and this must be continued, as often as necessary, until 
they are in full bloom. 
In all situations where the sun has great power, the beds will re¬ 
quire 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. 
