356 CuUivation and Management of the Ranunculus. 



there are exceptions to this rule, for we know that there are 

 amateurs, as well as nurserymen, who will not let any thing 

 go out under their name, which shall not come up fully to 

 their descriptions, made with a full knowledge of the merits 

 of every variety of the same fruit. 



Let any cultivator cast his eye over the long list of " re- 

 nowned" varieties of strawberries, as one of our nurserymen 

 has described some of them, which have already become 

 among the things that were; and we will venture to assert 

 that, out of the very large rmmber of seedlings of a more re- 

 cent date, not one of them will be cultivated half a dozen 

 years hence. 



It is gratifying to know that, notwithstanding the small 

 chance of obtaining new strawberries of superior quality, 

 from seed, so much interest is manifested in their production. 

 Many of our amateur friends, around Boston, possess a 

 great number of plants, and our only hope is, that they may 

 be repaid for their labor, by the fortunate discovery of at 

 least one variety which shall eclipse any thing yet known. 



Art. IV. On the Cultivation and Management of the Ra- 

 nunculus. By Dr. F. Horner, Hull, near London, With 

 Remarks. By the Editor. 



Few flowers equal in brilliancy of color, or perfectness of 

 form, the ranunculus, and the best evidence of its real beauty 

 is the admiration which even a single bloom always excites 

 wherever seen. We well recollect the delight with which 

 every visitor viewed a small bed of these plants, which we 

 were successful in blooming in our younger days, when we had 

 more leisure upon our hands, and, — "no copy" to supply,— 

 could devote a few spare hours to the proper preparation and 

 careful management of a bed of ranunculuses, as well as 

 many other of the florist's favorites. It is long since we 

 have had a collection under our immediate care, but our ad- 

 miration for it has not decreased, nor our desire to cultivate 

 it in the least degree lessened. We hope soon, in common, 

 we trust, with many of our amateur friends, to avail ourselves 



