ON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 103 



About the month of November I dig into the soil intended for my 

 Ranunculus bed a small quantity of cow-dung ; if rotted, so much the 

 better. In January I turn this over to the depth of six or eight 

 inches, allowing it then to remain until the latter end of February or 

 eginning of March, when I commence planting (having previously 

 stirred the surface) the roots in lines four inches asunder, and about 

 two inches distant in the lines. Nothing more is required until they 

 appear above ground, when water must be very copiously given, never 

 allowing them to become dry, for it is on the abundant supply of that 

 element that the success of a good flower mainly depends. 



I have, in dry weather, had occasion to water twice a-day, morning 

 and evening ; but when once a-day is sufficient, evening is to be 

 preferred. 



About this time the Ranunculus bed will be infested with that 

 pest of the flower-garden, the wire-worm. I have used potatoes cut 

 and placed between the lines, and by looking them over every morn- 

 ing, great numbers may be destroyed in that way. 



When they arrive in bloom, shading in very warm dry weather is 

 of advantage in lengthening and preserving the bloom. After it is 

 over, and the leaves having assumed a yellow colour, the roots should 

 then be taken up, washed, dried, and kept free from damp, until the 

 following season for planting arrives. 



ARTICLE IV. 



ON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



BY J., Of SHEFFIELD. 



It is a cause of regret that there should in any degree be a decline and 

 failure of these societies ; wherever such has been the case, it evidently 

 betokens some great evils and defects in their present system of ma- 

 nagement, and justly calls for the adoption of some plans more calcu- 

 lated to promote their lasting interests and prosperity. My intention 

 therefore is, first, to show the probable causes of this declension, and 

 then offer a few suggestions as to the best means of remedying it. 



I am well aware of the prejudicial effects of bad trade on societies 

 of this kind, but, perhap?, it is not so much so as other things more 

 closely connected with themselves. One is, the great partiality and 

 injustice that is shown in the distribution of the prize-money. In 



