26 ON THE CULTURE OF THE RANUNCULUP. 



ARTICLE II. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTURE OF THE RANUNCULUS. 



BY MR. OKORQE LIGHTBODY, OF FAI-KIRK, SCOTLAND. 



[Continued from y>. S.] 



Blooming. 



According to the season being forward or the reverse, the flowers 

 will commence to bloom from the*7th to the 21st of June. They will 

 then require to be covered through the day to shade them from the 

 sun, exposure to which spoils their beautiful colours. This is best 

 done by having a low stage rising about two and a half feet at the 

 sides of the beds and four feet in the centre. The awning is easily 

 managed, when tied to two light rollers ; in this form it is put on and 

 taken off in an instant. When the sun is powerful, keep it down on 

 the side next the sun near to the ground, but on the other side it may 

 be partially rolled up to admit air, and should visitors arrive to see 

 the bloom, the roller can be fastened to posts so as to enable visitors 

 to walk under it, without exposure of the flowers to the sun. In 

 fine weather the awning may be taken off at night and put on in the 

 morning. Never allow the blooms to be exposed to the rain. During 

 the bloom, water may be given every night as formerly recommended, 

 but when the bloom is on the decline, cease to water. By using 

 these precautious the bloom may be kept in perfection for a period of 

 three weeks or more, to the great delight of all beholders, for there is 

 nothing in nature more dazzling and striking than a mass of choice 

 Ranunculus in full bloom. The recollection of a sight of the kind 

 is lasting. The reason why I recommend a low stage is to pre- 

 vent the flower stems being drawn. This is uniformly the case when 

 a high stage is used. 



Maturing the Roots. 



When the bloom is past, the object then is to have the roots 

 ripened in fine condition. Let the beds be exposed to the full action 

 of the sun ; but it will be advisable to keep up the stage and have the 

 awning in readiness to cover with in the event of wet weather setting 

 in, for there is danger of the tubers beginning to grow again. Should 

 the beds become saturated with moisture during hot weather, a 

 gentle rain will do no harm, but avoid too much. Should the tubers 



