ON THE CULTURE OF THE RANUNCULUS. 5 



in the compost already described. After potting, they require to be 

 placed in a close frame with peat, sprinkled over head occasionally 

 with tepid water until they begin to root afresh, when, by degrees, 

 air is to be admitted, so as gradually to inure them to a cooler atmo- 

 sphere. The following season they must be repotted, in the usual 

 compost, and in all respects treated as the blooming plants are, and 

 by the succeeding season they will be strong enough for inarching, 

 &c— the best time to do which is early in spring, just before the 

 plants begin to grow, and for budding, as soon as the young wood is 

 sufficiently ripened to be firm. 



ARTICLE II. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTURE OF THE RANUNCULUS. 



BY MR. GEORGE LIG1ITBODY, OF FALKIRK, SCOTLAND. 



Agreeable to your recpiest, I now send you a few observations on 

 the culture of the most beautiful and regular of all (he florists' 

 flowers, — the Ranunculus. I lay no claim to being a standard 

 authority, but merely intend to state my own practice, the result 

 of many years experience ; and the success by which it has been 

 attended, is known to too many for me to attempt anything like 

 exaggeration. 



Another object I have in view, is, that your periodical offers a 

 greater certainty of its preservation for reference than the columns of 

 a newspaper. Beside, many persons apply to me for instructions : 

 I shall in future refer them to the Number of the Cabinet in which 

 this may appear ; for writing such long details, and so frequently, 

 has become rather irksome. Should I make any discovery at a 

 future time that may be advantageous, I will with much pleasure 

 communicate the same. 



The situation best adapted for Ranunculus beds, is an open level 

 site, free from eddy winds and fully exposed to the sun. 



Preparation of the Beds. 



It is of great importance to have the beds prepared in a proper 

 manner. I strongly recommend this work to be done in August, not 

 later than the beginning of September. 



My reasons for this early preparation arc twofold. Fine weather 

 may almost be depended on at this period, for the purpose of 

 having the soil thoioughly sweetened, by turning what is intended 



