Many species and varieties. Hardy bulbous perennials. Offsets or seeds. Light sandy soil.

Spring Crocuses

C. vernus: of this there are about five varieties, varying in colour, chiefly yellow, white, purple, and blue; C. annulatus, four varieties, blue and white; C. speciosus, three varieties; C. pulchellus; C. Sibthorpianus; C. Iaevigatus, two varieties; C. lagenae.-florus, many varieties; C. campestris; C. cancellatus; C. retaulatus, four varieties; C. gargaricus; C. Siberianus; C. Fleischerianus; C. parvulus; C. pyre-caeus; C. asturinus; C. serotinus; C. salamaunianus; C. versicolor, five varieties; C. imperatorianus; C. suaveo-lens; C. insularis; C. odorus; C. longi-florus; C. medius; C. Pallasianus; C. Thomasianus, two varieties; C. sativus.

Of the Autumn Crocus, the Rev. Dr. Herbert particularizes the following:

C. Damascenus, pale purple; C. By-zantinus, white; C. Tournefortianus, French white; C. Cambessedesianus, white, streaked with purple; C. medius, purple; C. Cartwrightianus, purple; C. var. Creticus, purple and pink; C. Chusianus, light purple. - Bot. Reg.

Characteristics Of Excellence. First

It should be composed of six petals, three inner and three outer; but fitting so close as to form a cup the shape of half a hollow ball.

Second

The petals should be broad enough and blunt enough at the ends to form an even edge all round the cup, and lap over each other so much as to have no indentations where they join.

Third

The petals should be thick and smooth on the edge, without notch or serratine.

Fourth

The colour should be dense and all over the same, if the variety be a self; and the marking should be very distinct, if variegated.

Fifth

It should be hardy enough to stand the frost, for those which are spoiled by the frosts, which come after they flower, are almost worthless, be-1 cause they all bloom early, before the frosts are gone, and therefore their only beauty would be destroyed unless they stood the cold well.

Lastly

They ought to bloom abundantly,the flowers succeeding each other to lengthen the season of their bloom." - Hort. Mag.

Cultivation

"The seeds of crocuses are best sown thinly, immediately after being gathered in light dry earth in large pots or pans, with a sufficiency of holes and potsherds at the bottom for the purpose of draining all, ami cover not more than half an inch with the mould. The most eligible aspect or situation until the autumnal rains set in, is a moderatedy, yet unsheltered one, permitting them to receive all the influence of the weather, except such heavy showers as would wash bare the seeds. As soon, however, as the autumnal rains commence, remove to a warm aspect; and protect them from all excessive rains, frosts, and snows, by the occasional shelter of a garden-frame, allowing them, nevertheless, the benefit of the full air at other times; but more espe-cially after the seminal leaf, for they have but one, (being monocotvlcdonous plants,) appears above the surface of the earth.

"This occurs sometimes about the end of the year; but oftener in earliest spring. After this it is essential that they should have complete exposure to the air, even in frosty weather, screening them, however, occasionally with loose straw from other injurious effects of frost. In this manner may the young crocuses be treated until the sun acquires sufficient power to dry the earth, or as to require daily waterings. It will be then found advantageous to remove them to a cooler, but not sheltered situation, and here they may remain until their leaves lie down; giving them at all times, and in every situation, while their leaves are growing, such discretional rose waterings, when the sun is not shining, as they may reasonably appear to require; but never until the earth they grow in becomes dry; not any whatever after their leaves begin to look yellow. After this period it is necessary to defend them from all humidity, except dews and gentle rains, until the end of August or beginning of September.

"If the surface of the earth is occasionally stirred with the point of a knife it will never fail to be attended with beneficial effects, and invigorate the bulbs; if notwithstanding the precaution of thinly sowing the seeds, the plants should have grown so thickly together as to have incommoded each other, it will be desirable to have such taken up and replanted immediately further asunder in fresh earth, and about three quarters of an inch deep. But if they are not too crowded, they will require no shifting; sift a little earth over them, previously stirring and cleaning the surface of the old from moss and weeds, and observing not to bury the young bulbs, not yet so large as lentils, deeper than three quarters of an inch, or an inch at the most. The second season requires exactly the same management as the first. But as soon as their second year's foilage has passed away, the roots should all be taken up and replanted again, the same or following day, into fresh earth of the same kind as before; sifting over them in autumn half an inch of fresh earth.

The spring following, if they have been duly attended to, most of them will show flowers; a few, perhaps, having done so in the midst of their fourth crop of leaves." - Hort. Soc. Trans.

They are very hardy, and require no care till the leaves begin to fade, when they should be taken up and kept in a state of rest for two or three months: some do not take them up oftener than once in three years, which answers very well for the border sorts. Even these, however, should not be left longer; because, as the young bulbs are formed on the top of the others, they come nearer to the surface every year, till at last, if neglected, they are thrown out and lost. - Enc. Gard.

Soil, Etc

They like a warm, dry, light soil, in which they will thrive for many years without requiring removal. Both are, however, better for being taken up occasionally, because in that way their roots are exposed to fresh soil, and are not obliged to search through exhausted earth for their necessary food. They are fond of cow-dung as a manure; it may be applied just after Christmas. - Gard. Chron.