JANUARY. 3 



water liberally between the rows with rain or pond water, taking 

 every precaution not to wet the blossoms. 



" As soon as the beauty of the bed is on the decline, remove the 

 awning ; and when the foliage of a plant withers, lift and clean the 

 root, and place it in the drawers to dry, taking care that it does not 

 contract mould. Continue taking up as the plants attain maturity till 

 the whole are secured. 



" I have known growers whose custom it was to wait until the 

 whole stock had withered down, so that the whole might be secured 

 at one time. To follow this plan with the Ranunculus is the certain 

 destruction of a portion of the stock ; for should rains set in, many 

 of the tubers will start growth again ; if such a mischance should 

 happen, the danger may be lessened by easing up the roots in the 

 beds so as to cut off the connexion of the fibres with the soil. 



" Such is a brief outline of my method in cultivating this most 

 beautiful flower ; and I shall be truly pleased if any of the readers of 

 the Florist derive any benefit from my practice." 



TO OUR READERS. 



Some little acquaintance with the labours of the Superintendent of 

 the Florist, obtained by four years' service in that capacity, leads 

 me to call upon all the lovers of floriculture to come forward, and by 

 their communications to assist in the enterprise. Surely we ought to 

 be able not only to maintain such a work in its present state of effi- 

 ciency, but to make it quite matchless of its kind. I know well all 

 the labours and anxieties attendant upon its conduct, — the difficulty 

 in selecting suitable objects for its illustrations, the incessant care and 

 foresight required in providing matter of interest, and the temper 

 and forbearance necessary in the selection of matter and replies to 

 correspondents. Its usefulness ought always to form a most pro- 

 minent claim to our regard. To it we ought to refer for a record of 

 all that has appeared during the recurring seasons deserving of our 

 notice and culture. Every month should contain communications of 

 the result of experimental practice, or suggestions for improving our 

 exhibitions, our soils, our modes of seeding, sowing, growing and 

 blooming, or of hybridising. 



I have often remarked with what ease a monthly number may be 

 filled by that most useful plant — Cabbage. Now one distinguishing 

 feature of the Florist, Fruitist, and Garden Miscellany is the original 

 character of its contents ; and its readers should know how much more 

 expensive this is than extracted matter. In the former case, a pair 

 of scissors supplies the compositor, involving no charge for corrections 

 and no payment to the contributor. In the latter, there is careful 

 reading and preparation for the press required ; then the proofs have 

 to be corrected ; then perhaps a little compression or enlargement is 

 required to fit allotted space. And, after all, profit there is none 

 obtained or sought for ; all is downright care and labour ; the only 

 reward, the promotion of our favourite gardening cause. 



