MONTHLY CALENDAR. 221 



Dftmes. They rival the tuhp in brilliancy of colour, and many prefer the 

 Ijeautifully-arranged balls of the ranunculus to the stiflf formal cups of the 

 tulip ; both, however, have their distinctive features of beauty, and deserve 

 a place in every garden. They may be planted from October to the end of 

 this month, some preferring one period and some another : perhaps no better 

 time could be chosen for planting than the beginning or middle of February. 

 As soon as the beds are in a fit state, lose no time in planting, if the weather 

 be favourable ; but waiting a day, or even a week, is nothing in comparison 

 •with placing the roots in soil in an unfit state to receive them. They are 

 best cultivated in 4-feet beds of rich loam mixed with one-fourth part of 

 decomposed cowdung. The soil should be dug from 2 to 2^ feet deep, and if 

 the situation is moist and partially sheltered, so much the better. A con- 

 stant supply of moisture is essential to their beauty and growth, although an 

 excess of water would destroy the tubers during the cold of winter and 

 early spring : after their blossom-buds are formed, however, the surface of 

 the beds must never be allowed to become dry ; a daily soaking of water will 

 then be necessary in dry weather, not only for the sake of the flowers, but to 

 preserve the roots from injury, these being very near the surface. The roots 

 should be planted about 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart ; their claw-like 

 extremities should be pressed firmly into the earth, and the crowns be covered 

 with an inch of sand previous to another inch of soil being spread over them ; 

 the beds may then be covered with a layer of spruce branches, straw litter, 

 or leaf-mould, to protect them from the frost : this will, of course, be removed 

 before the appearance of the plants above ground. 



576. Ranunculuses are increased by offsets, dividing the tubers, and seed. 

 OflFsets is the usual mode of increase, and they are generally sufl&ciently 

 strong to flower the first year. Choice sorts may also be divided into several 

 plants ; every httle knot that appears on the top of a tuber will form a plant 

 if carefully divided, so as to insure an accompanying claw. Unless, however, 

 for choice sorts, this mode of increase is not desirable : by seed is the most 

 rapid mode of increase, as well as the only way of securing new varieties. It 

 is said by some persons that ranunculuses never come true from seed, so that 

 variety is certain. Perhaps the best time for sowing is the month of January, 

 and the best place a cold frame. Sow either in the frame, or in pots or boxes, 

 on a smooth hardish surface, and barely cover the seed with soil. Exclude 

 the frost, and keep the frame close until the plants show two seed-leaves ; then 

 gradually inure them to more air, until the light may be entirely removed in 

 May. The little tubers may be taken up when the foliage is quite ripened off: 

 they will require the same, or even more attention, in watering than the 

 old roots. 



577. Some prefer sowing the seed on beds out of doors in the autumn or 

 spring months. Generally, ranunculuses will have died down, and be fit for 

 taking up and storing, by the end of June or beginning of July. The place 

 for storing should be dry ; a drawer with a bed of sand being the most con- 

 venient. The following are good varieties : — 



