RANUNCULUSES, 147 
twelve or fourteen roots of the old sorts may be planted in each row, 
but ten of the new will be found sufficient, in consequence of their 
more vigorous habit. The best way to plant is to mark across the 
surface for each row. ‘Then excavate with a trowel to the depth of one 
andahalf inch. ‘To insure the exact depth, I use a piece of wood with 
a notch cut at each end, the requisite depth, which is pressed into the 
drill till the projecting parts rest on the wood edge, (the back of it 
serves for levelling the beds.) In planting the roots keep the crowns 
up, press the claws into the earth firmly to prevent worms casting them 
out, but take care not to break them. ‘Two persons, after a little 
practice, will plant a large quantity in a little time by this process. 
Management from Planting Time till Blooming Time.—The roots, 
after having been in the ground for a few days, swell to three times 
the size they were when planted. Should very wet weather occur and 
afterwards sudden and severe frost, which is often experienced at this 
early season, there is danger of some of the roots being destroyed. In 
this case, it is advisable that some old mats or dry litter of any kind 
should be laid over the surface of the beds to prevent the frost pene- 
trating to the roots. The beds can be cleared when a favourable change 
takes place. By the middle of April the plants will all be up. They 
frequently rise so strong as to displace the soil about them. Look over 
them and take the displaced soil, break it, and put it about the neck of 
the plants. When the foliage of the plants has attained to the height 
of two or three inches, then is the proper time to stir the surface of 
the beds, do this carefully to the depth of two inches between the rows, 
but don’t go so deep close to the plants. Break the soil fine and keep 
it level. ‘Take care that the plants are not disturbed nor their foliage 
injured. See that the soil is gently pressed around the neck of the 
plants to keep out the drought. Persons who grow Auriculas will find 
it good practice to reserve a portion of their old compost, and after the 
beds have been stirred, strew it equally over the surface to the thick- 
ness of about a quarter of an inch. This serves for a top dressing, and 
gives the beds a neat and finished appearance, and helps to keep out 
the drying winds of spring. 
During April and May, should the weather prove hot and dry, it 
will be of advantage to the plants to water occasionally ; this must be 
gone about with judgment, for in the event of frost taking place 
through the night, the foliage would suffer and the plants receive a 
check. When there is no appearance of frost, water liberally with 
rain or pond water administered between the rows with the pipe of a 
watering pan held low, so as not to make holes in the soil. Spring 
water should never be used till it has been long exposed to sun and air 
to soften it and raise its temperature. 
Look over the plants occasionally previous to the bloom, for at 
this time they are liable to receive damage from cuckoo spit harbouring 
in the foliage, and a small destructive caterpillar that lodges in the 
embryo blooms, eating out the whole of the petals and leaving nothing 
but the empty calyx. 
Blooming.—According to the season being forward or the reverse, 
02 
