338 BRECK'S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



Ranunculus rtfpens flore pleno, is a double variety ; 

 the roots are creeping, and therefore the plant is rather 

 troublesome. The flowers are pretty, of a glossy yellow, 

 and in bloom a number of months. J?. acris flore plena 

 is a variety with upright stems; two feet high, with 

 bright-yellow double flowers, in June and July. R. aco~ 

 nitifolius flore pleno. This beautiful plant has fine doa- 

 ble white flowers, in June ; one foot high ; for some reason 

 it is not much cultivated in this country. It goes by the 

 name of " Fair Maids of France." 



R. Asiaticus, is one of the most splendid florist's flow- 

 ers in cultivation ; but, unfortunately, our climate is so 

 uncongenial for its perfection, and it requires so much skill 

 and care, that it has received but little attention, except by 

 a few individuals. To have it in all its beauty and strength, 

 it should be kept growing very moderately all winter.; 

 but our climate is so severe that this is impossible, in the 

 open air, without too much covering, which would cause 

 the plants to become drawn and weakened in such a man- 

 ner as to be ruined. In a green-house this may be done ; 

 but how" shall they be managed in the open air ? Samuel 

 Walker, Esq., formerly President of the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society, has been the most successful of any 

 person in this neighborhood, in blooming the Ranunculus 

 in the open air. The following are the directions he gave 

 for their cultivation, as published some years since : 



" The soil should be trenched eighteen or twenty inch- 

 es, and composed of good rich loam, to which add one- 

 sixth part of very old, well-rotted cow manure, and the 

 same quantity of clay, broken into small pieces ; add to 

 this a little sand, and thoroughly mix. the whole; if the 

 soil binds, add some sandy peat ; make the bed on a level 

 with the path or walks ; the plants would do better if the 

 bed was below, rather than above, the level. 



" Having prepared the soil, as above, some time during 



