RANUNCULACE^. 1 3 



many, some astonishment may fairly be expressed that plants 

 with so many excellent qualities should be so thinly cultivated 

 in gardens generally, and in the gardens of the wealthy par- 

 ticularly. They are splendid objects in every position, and 

 may be used in many ways — in the mixed border, in masses of 

 themselves either in one or several colours, and associated 

 with other flowering plants or with evergreens. I have seen 

 them made to produce a novel and striking effect by pegging 

 them down around the margins of groups of shrubs; and in 

 beds by themselves on grass, pegged in the same manner, but 

 graduating from i foot or so high at the edge, to 4 or 5 feet in 

 the centre. They were not models of smoothness, these beds, 

 on near inspection; but at some distance ofl" they were grand — 

 and distant eftect was the object aimed at in the case. There 

 is much trouble and labour attending this method, however, as 

 the pegging must be scrupulously attended to during the grow- 

 ing season, and has to be done with much care to prevent 

 breaking and kneeing of the stems ; and if it cannot be well 

 done, it had better not be attempted at all. But there is a 

 compensating advantage to be set against the extra trouble and 

 labour — there is a very prolonged succession of flowers con- 

 sequent on the extra branching that naturally results from the 

 horizontal position of the stems. They luxuriate most in 

 deeply-worked rich loam, rather moist than dry, and make but 

 a poor figure in very dry light soils, unless liberally manured 

 and copiously supplied with water during all stages of growth. 

 To enjoy their beauty as long as possible, it is of much im- 

 portance to stake and secure their stems at an early stage, to 

 thin out all weak stems so as to admit light and air freely to 

 those that remain, and to remove all seed-pods and decayed 

 flowers as soon as they show themselves. The plants are kept 

 in a vigorous and healthy state for a longer period if attention 

 is paid to lifting and replanting annually, or at most tvery two 

 years, and giving them some fresh soil or well-decomposed 

 manure to refresh them. Propagate by seed for the produc- 

 tion of varieties. Sow in the open air in March or April in a 

 well-dug rich piece of ground in a warm position, and pricl): 

 the plants out when fit to handle. Choice species and varieties 

 are increased by division in winter in open weather and in 

 spring, and a succession of bloom may be kept up by dividing 

 at successive periods. Cuttings also may be resorted to in the 

 case of rare or scarce sorts, and when large increase is an ob- 

 ject. They should be taken when the shoots have grown 5 or 

 6 inches long, and planted in light rich sandy soil, in pots 

 singly or in masses, according to convenience and the object 



