THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 295 



There are not many varieties, and amongst them not one worth 

 describing. I have seen lately at Eulield a variety called repens, which 

 only dillers from the type in the fact that the fronds sprawl about, the 

 stalks being more lax than usual. The variety called infegerrima, the 

 secondary pinnules are entire on the margin, whereas in the type 

 they are deeply piunatifid. The variety crispa has crenate margins, 

 but is not constant under cultivation. Multifida is almost a prize, 

 tlie pinnae being freely branched and forked, but it does not retain 

 the character when cultivated. The Amei'ican varieties do not difter 

 in any essential degree from our own. So, with the real, original 

 bracken this story begins and ends ; and I am inclined to think 

 (and, of course, to hope) that the poverty of the narrative will be 

 forgotten in the glory of the theme. Shirley Hibbeed. 





NOTES ON A PEAY USEFUL BULBS AND TUBEES. 



ANUNCULUSES all the Year eoukd. — It is pretty 

 well known that a deep moist loam, annually enriched 

 with manure, and an open sunny position, are requisites 

 in the culture of the ranunculus. There have been 

 published treatises on the subject in former issues of the 

 Eloeal "World, and I therefore abstain from attempting to deal 

 with the whole subject, but shall occupy a small space to say what I 

 believe has never been said before, that ranunculuses may be had in 

 bloom all the year round. It has often been observed that the roots 

 may be kept in the drawer for two years, and then if planted will 

 grow well. Eeflectiug upon this, and being an admirer of these 

 splendid flowers, I some years ago devised an experiment. I planted 

 out of doors in October, February, March, April, May, June, July, 

 August, and September. I did not experience unvarying success, 

 but neither did I have any serious failure. Those planted in October 

 and February bloomed in May and June ; those planted in March 

 and April bloomed in June and July ; those planted in May and 

 June bloomed in August and September ; those planted in July 

 bloomed in October. There my out-door flowers ceased. But I 

 kept the succession going by the use of frames and pits in this wise. 

 I kejDt some roots in silver sand beyond the season of planting a 

 year and a half ; that is to say, fresh roots now on sale should be kept 

 till 1868. A few of course will die, but that is no matter, they are 

 cheap, and we can afford to lose them. In the month of August 

 pot a large lot, and another lot plant in a bed in a frame. Keep 

 the potted roots in frames until they have begun to grow freely, then 

 remove them to the greenhouse, a few at a time, and they will bloom 

 beautifully in October and November ; those in the frame coming 

 in during December, January, and February, As beds of ranun- 

 culuses are not usually planted till February, I shall endeavour in 

 good time to prepare a few notes for such of our readers as intend 

 then to make plantations. 



