NOVEMBER. 35 



gratifying object in the flower garden or pleasure 

 ground. 



The Ranunculus requires frequent watering in 

 small quantities between the rows, but not on the 

 flowers. 



By sowing seeds every year you will not only 

 increase your stock of roots, but also raise new varie- 

 ties, which may be considerably improved by chang- 

 ing the seed into fresh ground, for if the same seed 

 be continually sown in the same garden, it will 

 degenerate. This is a general law in al) plants. 

 As spring advances, the plants should be exposed to 

 the influence of the open air, first near the shelter of 

 a wall, but in April place them in a more shady sit- 

 uation, according to the warmth of the season, and 

 where they may have only the morning sun. 



TULIP.* 



" Then comes the Tulip race, whose beauty plays 

 Her idle freaks." 



This month is considered, both by private and 

 public florists, to be the best for planting the bulbs 

 of Tulips ; if earlier, they may meet some harsh 

 weather in February and March to interfere with 

 their future bloom ; if later, they blossom more weak- 

 ly, and many of the roots decay if kept over ground 

 any longer. The soil best suited to these plants is 

 very sjmilar to that which is recommended for the 

 Ranunculus. Perhaps the best is that supplied from 

 a light sandy pasture with the sod rotted amongst 

 it, and a fourth part sea sand : lay this mixture, or 



* Tulip is a Turkish name, signifying a cup. 



