242 THE FLOWER-GARDEN. [CHAP. Vni. 



it is best to do so in April ; or, if it be done in 

 the autumn, the roots taken up should be potted, 

 and turned out again in the spring." The 

 above observations are taken from Dr. Her- 

 bert's excellent work on the Amaryllidacea ; 

 and they are particularly valuable, as coming 

 from a man of profound science, and also of 

 great practical experience. I may also add 

 that the finest gladioli I ever saw in my life, 

 which were at Blair-Adam, near Stirling, had 

 been treated in the manner above described. 

 Charl wood's, Co vent Garden, Groom's, Clap- 

 ham, and Carter's, Holborn, are the best places 

 in London for procuring all kinds of bulbs and 

 conns. 



The Ranunculus. — The same florist who had 

 the kindness to send me directions for the 

 culture of the carnation, has given me the fol- 

 lowing directions for the culture of the ranun- 

 culus: — " In November spread well-rotted cow- 

 dung or thoroughly-decayed leaves, four or 

 five inches thick, over the beds which are to be 

 devoted to the ranunculus, and dig the manure 

 into the ground about four inches deep, going 

 over the bed several times, so as to mix it 

 well with the soil. The surface of the bed is 

 raked smooth, and lines, or rather drills, an 

 inch and a half deep, are traced on it, so as to 

 form squares four inches on the side every way. 

 The ground is then left till the beginning of 

 February, when the ranunculuses are planted 

 four inches apart, just at the point of intersec- 

 tion of the lines, and they are covered about 

 an inch and a half deep (rather less than more) 

 with the compost described above, or with fine 



