THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



41 



plunging plants in pots. Many would | would be a good way of turning the 

 rail off the whole of this lower piece, water to account, for there are no 

 and build a duckhouse at n, and that I means of getting rid of it entirely. 



TYSO ON THE RANUNCULUS. 



It is impossible ever to think of either 

 the Eanunculus or the Anemone, with- 

 out, at the same time, connecting them 

 with Mr. Tyso of Wallingford, Berks, 

 who has long been the leading grower 

 of these lovely flowers, and to whom 

 Ave are indebted for many of the splen- 

 did seedlings which of late years have 

 brought these flowers to such a high 

 perfection. Many years ago, Mr. Tyso 

 published a little pamphlet on the cul- 

 tivation of his favourite flower, and 

 this having been long out of print, is 

 now reproduced by him with such 

 additions and improvements as his ripe 

 experience suggested. It is published 

 by the author, and may be had direct 

 from him for seven postage stamps.* 

 For the benefit of such of our readers 

 as ma} 7 be about to plant this month, 

 we subjoin the following instructions, 

 premising that the soil for the Ranun- 

 culus should be a rich hazelly loam. 



PREPARATION OF THE BEDS. 



Having chosen an open, but not exposed, 

 part of the garden, -which will admit of the 

 beds being laid down about east and west, 

 remove the earth fifteen inches deep, and 

 from three feet to three feet four inches wide, 

 and fill the bed with the prepared compost, 

 to within two inches of the surface ; leave it 

 thus for a month, and then add the reserved 

 top soil. These operations are best done in 

 autumn, that time may be allowed for the 

 earth to settle. Another method, where the 

 sub-soil is light and very porous, may be 

 adopted. Excavate the bed fifteen inches 

 deep, lay in the bottom three inches of min- 

 gled manure and loam, and then saturate it 

 with manure water. Cow-dung, well-stirred 

 in water, will answer the purpose. Next 

 add three inches more of compost, and satu- 

 rate that layer ; proceed to add two more 

 similar layers, making a foot deep in the 

 whole, and, after a week's settling, add three 

 inches of good healthy pulverized loam, with 

 but little manure, in which to plant the 

 tubers. 



The surface of the beds should be level, 

 and not more than an inch higher than the 



paths, in order that the root3 may be kept 

 regularly cool and moist ; and, as the ranun- 

 culus thrives on a firm bottom, the compost 

 should not be disturbed at the time of plant- 

 ing, more than is just needful for that opera- 

 tion. During winter the surface may be 

 pointed up rough, to take the benefit of 

 frosts, but in no case should this be done 

 more than two inches deep. The beds may 

 be neatly edged with inch boards painted 

 lead colour, and in case named sorts are 

 planted, should be numbered with white 

 paint to correspond with the numbers en- 

 tered in the Amateur's list. As a bed well 

 constructed at the commencement will admit 

 of several successive plantings, with an an- 

 nual addition of fertilizing materials, it is 

 worthy of the particular care of the culti- 

 vator, though the preparation at first may 

 involve some little trouble and expense. 



PLANTING. 



The best season for general planting is the 

 last fortnight in February — the plants have 

 not then to contend with the severities of the 

 winter. In some favourable seasons roots 

 may be planted with advantage in October; 

 they will have more time to vegetate, and 

 establish themselves; will make stronger 

 plants, and will bloom more vigorously, and 

 about a fortnight earlier than if planted in 

 spring. Considerable hazard, however, at- 

 tends autumn planting, and it is not recom- 

 mended, except by way of experiment, to 

 those who possess a large stock, and can 

 afford to risk a portion. 



In fine weather, towards the close of 

 February, rake your beds perfectly level, 

 and divide them into six longitudinal rows 

 for mixed roots, allowing four inches from 

 the outside row to the edge ; or for named 

 sorts, mark your rows transversely at dis- 

 tances of five inches asunder, and plant six 

 roots in a transverse row. 



Draw drills with a small hoe one inch and 

 a half deep, and plant the roots with the 

 claws downwards, with pressure to secure 

 firmly in the soil, so as to be one inch and a 

 half from the crowns to the surface. 



When planting on a small scale, a dibble 

 with a shoulder at the precise depth may be 

 used ; but in large quantities it is an incon- 

 venient method, and planting at the bottom 



" The Banunculus : how to grow it, Ac." By Carey Tyso, Florist, &c, Wallingford, Berks. 



