148 RANUNCULUSESs 
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 
precautions 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 prevent 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 
erow 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 of any unfortunately start, my practice is to thrust 
a trowel diagonally into the soil, cutting the fibres of the plant a few 
inches below the surface, and gently raising the ball a little above the 
level of the bed. This practice I generally find successful ; but should 
the plant thus treated continue to grow, my next resource is to take 
up the ball and put it into a carnation pot, among some dry soil, and 
put it under glass. Should this fail, and the root is valuable, let it 
grow on, but put it into a greenhouse or frame where it can be pro- 
tected from the risk of frost till the root attains to maturity. 
Taking up the Roots——Cultivators who have valuable collections 
should never wait till the foliage of the whole are withered before 
they commence taking up; my advice is to look over the plants every 
day, and take up all whose foliage is withered, and continue doing so 
till the whole are secured. Clean the roots from soil; cut off the 
flower-stems and foliage with a pair of stout scissors close to the 
crown; shorten the fibres and place the roots in the bags or boxes 
appropriated for keeping them in, in a dry airy situation out of the 
sun. In the course of two or three days after taking up, look over the 
roots, they will then be in a soft and partially shrivelled state; then is 
the proper time for separating the roots without danger of breaking 
