34 NOVEMBER. 



weakly. The small roots which are formed may 

 be paired off the surface, so as not to injure the 

 fibres ; sifted and floated in water, to get rid of the 

 earth ; dried, and planted in October, when, if well 

 attended to, many flowers may be expected in the 

 following season ; a light covering of tan should be 

 given to the beds, in all cases, to prevent the fine 

 earth from being disturbed in watering. The ma- 

 nure above mentioned, also answers for this pur- 

 pose. 



The Ranunculus delights in a rich, light, and 

 sandy soil ; and whenever dung is mixed with the 

 earth instead of the compost already recommended, 

 it should be very rotten, and well mixed at least six 

 months before it is used, and frequently stirred and 

 turned. Miller is qf opinion that it is unadvisable 

 to sift or screen the earth too much, observing 

 merely, that the clods, in digging up the beds, should 

 be carefully broken as in the ordinary operation of 

 garden work ; for if the soil be too fine, it is apt to 

 bind together in a solid lump after the winter rains, 

 and, consequently, to prevent the fibres from extend- 

 ing themselves freely. 



The Scarlet Turbaned flower, which is very 

 hardy and most brilliant, if planted at the same time 

 with the Tulip, will bloom contemporaneously with it. 



A fine Ranunculus should have a large well-pro- 

 portioned blossom, of six inches in circumference, 

 supported on a stem from eight to ten inches in 

 height ; its numerous leaves should naturally dimi- 

 nish in size from the outer circle toward the centre 

 of the flower, forming a full and close crown of 

 petals, all round-edged and of brilliant color, whether 

 self-colored or mixed ; the shape of this admired 

 flower is as attractive as its hues, and on an ex- 

 tensive scale of plantation, is, perhaps, the most 



