Ornithogalum Oxalis Ranunculus 



if the bulbs are forced too quickly the blossoms are sometimes 

 crippled. 



ORNITHOGALUM ARABICUM 



DURING the month of June this fine variety of the Star of Bethlehem 

 produces heads of pure white fragrant flowers, each having a green 

 centre. The roots are large and fleshy, and should be planted in 

 the autumn nine inches deep. A sheltered position, such as under 

 a south wall, is desirable for them, and some protection in the form 

 of dry litter, or a heap of light manure, will be necessary to carry the 

 roots safely through severe winter weather. The bulbs are frequently 

 potted for indoor decoration. 



OXALIS 



THESE frame plants are suitable for the cool greenhouse or for forcing, 

 and they are adapted also for the open border in peculiarly favourable 

 districts. They are particularly neat and cheerful, flowering abun- 

 dantly, and requiring only the most ordinary treatment of frame 

 plants. In winter they should be kept dry. The 48-sized pot is 

 suitable, and about five bulbs may be planted in each, using light 

 soil freely mixed with sand. 



RANUNCULUS 



To MAINTAIN a collection of named Ranunculuses demands skill 

 and patience, but a few of the most brilliant self-coloured, spotted 

 and striped varieties may be easily grown, if a cool, deep, rich, 

 moist soil can be provided for them. The best soil for the 

 Ranunculus is a loam or clay in which the common field Buttercup 

 grows freely and plentifully. The situation should be open, the bed 

 well pulverised, and the soil effectively drained, both to promote a 

 vigorous growth and, as far as possible, to save the plants from injury 

 by wireworms, leather-jackets and other ground vermin. Elaborate 

 modes of manuring, such as mixing several sorts of manure together 

 in mystical proportions, are altogether unnecessary, but a good 

 dressing of rotten manure and leaf-mould should be dug in before 

 planting, and if the soil is particularly heavy, sharp sand must be 



