AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



273 



Ranunculus continued. 



shorter than the sepals and petals, often numerous. Tery 

 few in some few-flowered species ; achenes compressed or 

 sub-globose, smooth or variously striated, ribbed, wrinkled, 

 or bristly. Leaves entire or dissected; those at the 

 divisions of the stem often small. According to Hooker, 

 sixteen species are included in the British Flora; some 

 of these, although common weeds, are pretty objects 

 when in flower, and hence are described below. Except 

 where otherwise stated, all the species here mentioned are 

 hardy. Nearly all are of easy culture in mixed borders, 

 or in rock gardens ; they usually prefer rather moist 

 situations and loamy soiL R. asiaticiu has long been in 

 cultivation. This species and its numerous varieties re- 

 quire special and very different treatment from any of 

 the others, but whenever the plants succeed and flower, 

 their beauty will be sure to compensate for any extra 

 attention bestowed. Propagation is effected by seeds, 

 and by division. 



For the varieties of the garden Ranunculus (R. atia- 

 tiau) special beds should be prepared by taking out the 

 ordinary soil to a depth of about lift, to 2ft., placing 

 some drainage in the bottom, if there is a suspicion of 

 stagnant moisture, and filling up with a prepared compost. 

 This should consist of two parts loam to one of leaf soil 

 and thoroughly decayed cowdung. Plenty of sharp, river 

 or road sand should be intermixed, the compost prepared, 

 and the beds made up some time, if possible, before 

 planting time. The safest time to plant is towards the 

 end of February, should weather permit ; autumn planting 

 is sometimes practised, but it is unsafe, because of the 

 roots being liable to perish through winter. The soil 

 must be rendered fine on the surface, and raised a little 

 above the edges. The roots, which are small and some- 



Fio. 35L ROOT OF GARDEN RA^-CXCCLCS. 



what like small claws (see Fig. 351), may be inserted 

 about 6in. apart, and all placed at an equal depth of 

 IJin. or 2in. The claws must be set downwards, and 

 pressed firmly in place; afterwards, a little sand should 

 be scattered in, and then covered with fine prepared soil 

 "When the flowers begin to expand, it is advisable, if 

 convenient, to place a light awning over them, to afford 

 shade and shelter; but this is not absolutely necessary. 

 Should the weather be dry, water most be supplied in 

 sufficient quantity to prevent the soil cracking ; it should 

 be given at intervals in the evening. The Bannnculns likes 

 plenty of moisture, but over-abundant supplies generally 

 cause the leaves to turn yellow and die off prematurely ; 

 a top-dressing of leaf mould or cocoa-nut fibre is of great 

 service in retaining moisture. So soon as the leaves 

 ripen and turn yellow, after flowering is over, the tubers 

 should be lifted and stored away in a dry, airy compart- 

 ment, in drawers, or suspended in paper bags, until 

 planting time again arrives. This lifting of the roots at 

 the proper time is a most important part of the manage- 

 ment. There are two principal sections of the garden 

 Banunculus ; one is known as the Persian, and the other 

 the Turban. Varieties of the first-named are very com- 

 pact and symmetrical in habit, and all their flowers are 



Ranunculus continued. 



very beautiful The Turban forms are somewhat coarser 

 in growth, but are of hardier constitution than the 

 Persian. There are not so many varieties of these, but 

 they are well adapted for massing in beds and borders. 

 Collections of varieties are usually selected and sent out 

 by nurserymen and bulb merchants; it is, therefore, 

 unnecessary to enumerate descriptions. 



FIG. 352. RAMTNcn-rs ACONITIFOLICS FU>RE-rLE.NO, showing 

 Habit and detached Single Flower. 



1. aconittfolius (Aconite-leaved):* 1L white, few or numerous ; 

 calyx pressed, smooth; petals oblong, cnneated, or orbicular. 

 May and June. 1. palmately three to fire-parted, with the 

 partitions deeply toothed ; upper leaves sessile, cleft into linear- 

 lanceolate lobei Stem branched. A. 6in. to 2ft, Europe, 1596. 

 The flowers of varieties of this species are known in gardens by 

 the name of White Bachelors' Buttons. The double-flowered 

 form is the most ornamental, and is generally known in gardens 

 under the names of Fair Maids of France and Fair Maids of 

 Kent. See Fig. 352. (H. M. 2M.) 



FIG. 353. RA>TNCCLCS AMPLEXICACUS. 



. (*harp)L Common Buttercup ; Gold Knots. /. yellow, 



liii. in diameter; sepals and petals spreading, the former 

 pubescent; peduncles not furrowed. April to September L 

 usually all petiolate, orbicular or five-angled in outline three 

 to seven-parted, the uppermost ones sessile ; segments of lower 

 leaves cuneate? deeply t and lobed, those ofthe upper one. 



2 N 



