In preparing an anemone bed, the surface soil of some old pasture, with the turf itself, is to be mixed with some well rotted cow-house dung, and allowed to lie for a year in heap, but occasionally turned over. Large stones are to be cast out, but the soil should not be screened, or at least should not be made too fine.
The roots are tuberous, and very irregular in shape. They are commonly planted six inches apart in each direc tion, and about two inches deep, taking care to place the bud uppermost. The best season for planting is consider ed to be the month of October ; but some roots are gene rally kept back till December ; and others are not put in till February, in order to render them later in coming into flower, and thus to prolong the anemone show. Where the flowers are prized, the beds are sheltered during the seve rity of the early spring, by mats laid over hoops ; for it is remarked by practical men, that double flowers often be come single, by (c the thrum (collection of narrow thread like petals) that is in the middle of the flower being de stroyed." In April and May, if the weather prove very dry, they are regularly refreshed with water.
In July, when the leaves decay, the roots are taken up, but always in dry weather. They ate cleared of earth, ei ther with the fingers, or by washing. They are then pack ed in baskets or drawers till the planting season recur. Of choice sorts, the smallest offsets are valuable ; and as these are minute, and very much of the colour of the soil, great attention is requisite to have them all picked up at the time of lifting.
500. New varieties are raised from the seeds of single garden anemones, commonly called Poppy Anemones, pre ferring those of good colours. Some care is necessary to wards the separating of the seeds, which stick together like those of carrots ; it is most effectually done by rub bing them among dry sand. The seedlings require atten tion and protection for the first year, particularly in the spring months, when the frost is apt to throw them out of the ground. In the second year, many of them flower ; and the rest probably in the third year. The most promising are then selected.
The poppy anemones themselves, of bright red and blue colours, are highly ornamental in the garden bor ders. They require little attention, being only taken up every second year. They generally flower in February, and form the gayest parterre ornament at that chill season. Double anemones likewise, if left in the border all the year, come very early into flower.
Iris.
503. The genus Iris or Flower-de-luce is extensive, containing about fifty species, many of which make very handsome flowers for moist and shady borders ; but when a bed of irises is formed, only a few species enter into it. Different varieties of what are called the English or bul bous iris (large rooted and small rooted, or Iris xiphioides and I: xiphium) form a principal part. The seed of these is gathered and sown by florists, and in this way new and sometimes curious varieties are obtained. The most com mon colour is blue, deeper or lighter ; but the colour is often yellow, or white ; sometimes blue, with white or yel low shades, or violet with blue shades ; and it is variegated in many other ways. I. pallida or pale Turkey iris, with I. variegata and cristata, are sometimes admitted into the bed. I. tuberosa or snake-head iris, is a singular species, both in regard to foliage and flower, and is likewise occa sionally planted.
The soil of the iris bed should be a light loam, with a mixture of sandy peat. The loam should, if possible, be procured from an old pasture, and the sward should be taken along with it. No manure should be added. On an east border, the flowers make a finer appearance than if fully exposed to the south.
The Chalcedonian Iris (I. susiana) is yearly imported from Holland, and produces its magnificently rich and large flowers the first summer, but seldom shews flower till three years afterwards. It too agrees with a light loamy soil, but must have a warm sunny situation ; and it is to be observed, that moisture, which agrees well with most of the species, is hurtful to this one. In severe win ters it is apt to perish : the best roots should therefore be placed in pots, and kept under a frame during winter.