214 ON KAISING THE RANUNCULUS FROM SEED. 



Ill conclusion, I would observe, tLat plants should not be allowed 

 to remain more than two years in one place, without being taken 

 up and the earth removed, and fresh rich earth supplied in its 

 place. For the plants in pots, top-dressing is very beneficial. 



June 1, 1833. Iris. 



ARTICLE II. — On raising the Ranunculus from Seed. 

 By Mr. J. Miles. 



As you express a desire to know my method of raising the Ra- 

 mmculus from seed, I feel a pleasure in giving you the desired 

 information ; but at the same time, if any of your correspondents 

 know a better mode of raising them, I shall be highly gratified 

 to see it in your interesting Floriailfural Cabinet. 



Having collected a quantity of seed from the best semi-double 

 flowers, taking care the petals are large and good in colour, I 

 keep it on the heads of the stalks in a dry place till April, when I 

 rub it off in order to sow it, having previously prepared a compost 

 of tlie richest loam, composed of one-thii'd rotten dung from a 

 cucumber bed, and two-thirds of trenching earth from rich mea- 

 dow laud. I fill the largest pots I have up to the top, taking care 

 to level the soil ; I then take the seed and sow it, but should it not 

 appear to be equally sown, I take a feather and just move it so as it be 

 equally spread all over the pot, and with the bottom of another pot 

 press the seed and earth about half an inch from the top ; as soon 

 as this is done, I cover it by sifting some fine earth upon it, about 

 the thickness of a cro^^^l piece ; I then give it a gentle watering 

 by means of a hair sieve, or one made from coarse stiff muslin, 

 strained on a hoop sufficiently large to cover the surface of the 

 pot, and prevent the earth being washed from the seeds. This 

 method appears to me quite as well as pipes luted to the pots, (as 

 described in your number for March,) and at considerable less 

 trouble and expense. The pots are then placed in a situation 

 where the sun cannot have the least influence by shining upon 

 them ; in about four or five weeks the plants appear, and at 

 that time I find it necessary to keep them well watered, and when 

 the weather proves dry in the following month (May), they 

 arc watered evcrv dav. I have at this lime several thousand 



