Cultivation and Management of the Ranunculus. 357 



of the good advice which we are about to lay before them 

 from Dr. Horner, a very successful ranunculus grower, near 

 London. 



It cannot be denied that the ranunculus is, in some degree, 

 a '-capricious" flower; for we have seen many beds which 

 would not afford sufficient bloom to repay for the labor of 

 planting. But that this may not be avoided when its habits 

 are thoroughly studied, it is idle to believe ; for the art of 

 cultivation has been carried too far to stop in this almost soh- 

 tary instance of the ranunculus. 



In our earlier volumes, (VI, p. 416,) we have already de- 

 tailed our own experience in the cultivation of this beautiful 

 flower ; and later, our correspondent, S. Walker, Esq., has 

 given our readers the results of his management, (X, p. 

 326,) which has been equally as successful as our own ; both 

 of these articles are of the highest interest to cultivators in 

 our climate, which will not admit of precisely the same treat- 

 ment as that of Great Britain. In connexion with Dr. Hor- 

 ner's advice, they furnish all the instruction needed to grow 

 the ranunculus, with ordinary judgment and care, in as fine 

 condition as the amateur could wish. 



As the season is now close at hand when operations should 

 be commenced, the amateur should lose no time in getting his 

 bed ready, for it is on the proper preparation of the bed that 

 success, in most cases, depends. This being done, the roots 

 can be purchased at a leisure time before the planting season 

 arrives. We can assure our floral friends no flower will give 

 them so much pleasure as a bed of ranunculuses, and our 

 only hope is, that the reading of the annexed article will 

 prompt those who are admirers of all that is elegant in na- 

 ture to secure a hundred or more roots : — 



As the ranunculus will this month be in bloom, and conse- 

 quently especially attract the attention of florists, I beg to ofler 

 a few remarks on its management. 



This is indeed a flower of extraordinary characteristics, 

 uniting in itself properties and endowments of rare and almost 

 opposite combinations. For we may say of it, that it is 

 grand, yet elegant ; gorgeous, yet simple ; dazzling to behold, 

 yet lovely to look upon, &c. And assuredly its richly luxu- 



