ANEMONE

(from anemos, wind; the greater part of the species grow in elevated places, much exposed to the wind). Wind Flower. O RD. Ranunculaceæ. An extensive genus of very ornamental hardy perennials. The generic characters of Anemone proper are: Involucre of three cut leaflets, distant from the flower; calyx of five to twenty petal-like sepals; petals absent. Of sub-genus Hepatica: Involucre of three entire leaflets, just under the flowers; calyx of six to nine petal-like sepals; petals absent. For botanical purposes, they are both now included under the one generic name of Anemone; but in gardens the Hepaticas are frequently regarded as a distinct genus. They delight in a rich sandy loam, but most will thrive in ordinary garden soil. Some are suitable for borders, while others thrive best on the rockery, most of them preferring a damp and partially shady position. For the numerous varieties of A. coronaria, both double and single flowered, the soil can hardly be too rich, and the position, though open, should be a sheltered one, and well drained. The tubers may be planted early in October, about 6in. apart, and 3in. deep, various colours being intermixed, when a splendid effect is produced in the following spring. After flowering, the tubers should be taken up—say in June—and spread out thinly, in a shady, airy situation, until they are dry, when they should be thoroughly cleaned, and, if nece ary, divided, and finally stored away in a cool place, in pots or boxes of dry sand until the planting season. Anemones make admirable pot plants if placed in a compost of two parts turfy loam, and one of leaf mould or rotten hotbed or cow manure, with about a sixth part of sharp gritty sand; but, if so grown, they should be protected through severe weather, and brought into warmth as required. The herbaceous species are propagated by root divisions or root cuttings, or by seeds, in autumn or early spring; the seeds are better sown as soon as ripe in pans in a cold frame. Some, such as A. japonica, are freely increased by division; while others, such as A. narci i flora, are very slow; and the tuberous rooted ones, by root division and seeds. The best and most rapid means of propagating the invaluable varieties of A. coronaria, and also of obtaining new ones, is by seed. A careful selection of flowers, and skilful hybridising, will produce results commensurate with the trouble incurred. So soon as the seed ripen, they should be gathered and sown at once in a warm sheltered situation outside, or in pans under gla , covering lightly with sandy soil, and keeping moist. They are somewhat difficult to sow on account of a ma of cotton-like down which adheres closely to them; they should be thoroughly separated therefrom by rubbing them in dry sand. Of course, if the seed are sown at different times, plants will be produced which will flower at different periods, and a succe ion of bloom may be had from April to November—indeed, nearly all the year.