FLORISTS' TLOWEBS : RANUNCULUSES. 89 



The choice Kanunculuses have tuberous roots, and are 

 too tender to bear our climate out of doors, without some 

 protection. They require a loamy soil, made rich with 

 manure thoroughly rotted, and leaf-mould. Tt should feel 

 soft to the hand, and have a very little sand added to it. 

 For making a ranunculus bed, dig out the earth to the 

 depth of about a foot, lay in a layer two inches thick of 

 rotten cow-manure, and fill in with the compost until 

 the bed is two or three inches above the surface. The 

 bed had better be made in January, so that it may 

 mellow and settle by the time for planting the roots 

 towards the end of February. The earth should at the 

 time be just so moist that if a handful be squeezed and 

 let fall it will go in pieces. Eake the surface fine, 

 and plant the roots, two inches deep, and five inches 

 apart. Choose a fine day for planting, and sprinkle a 

 little sand in the drills made for the roots before 

 planting them. When the roots are placed and partly 

 covered, fill in just over the crowns with sand. When 

 the plants begin to grow, press the earth firmly about 

 them, and the bed must be protected from frost and 

 heavy rain : the best protection is some waterproof 

 covering over hoops. During April and May a little 

 watering may be necessary, and a little tan or moss 

 spread between the rows to keep the soil sufficiently 

 moist. When the flowers come they must be protected 

 from sun and rain by an awning, and the roots will 

 then want watering every second or third evening. July 

 is the flowering season. In a wet season the roots 

 should be taken up when they turn yellow, but in a dry 

 one they may remain in the earth until the leaves are 

 brown. Take them up as dry as can be, and let them 

 dry off quite in a warm place, not in the sun, when they 

 may be put by. 



New sorts may easily be raised from seed. Save 

 from none but flowers which are good in form and 

 colour. Sow in boxes, in February, about the eighth of 

 an inch apart ; cover the seed thinly, water with a fine 

 rose, and keep the boxes in-doors, but without heat. 

 Let them have air, but protect them from frost. When 



