Cidtivation and Management of the Raniincidvs. 359 



their successful growth is perpetuated ; and such is what I 

 long practised and recommended. Sand should be added or 

 withheld, according to the nature of the soil : if it contain a 

 small portion naturally, it is the more suitable, A stiff or 

 clayey loam (as in this neighborhood,) is too adhesive, and 

 requires a considerable admixture of sand to moderate its 

 stiffness ; yet a light, sandy soil is wholly unfit. 



I am anxious now, however, to make known a different 

 method of preparing the bed, and one that I have found to be 

 still more efficacious and satisfactory in its results ; though 

 the description may appear tedious, from a wish to be thor- 

 oughly understood, the actual labor is really very inconsider- 

 able. 



As soon as my tulips are taken up (for, from want of free 

 accommodation, I have the bed so arranged as to serve the 

 purpose of growing tulips and ranunculuses alternately), the 

 soil is thoroughly dug over, and so left for some days. The 

 surface being made even, it is then covered two and a half 

 inches thick with perfectly fresh cow manure from the cow- 

 shed, and which is smoothed down with the spade, and al- 

 lowed to remain thus exposed to the sun and rain till Septem- 

 ber. By this time, it will be found to be lessened in quantity, 

 from the percolation and washing into the soil of the more 

 soluble or fluid portions, as well as from the process of de- 

 composition it has undergone. 



It is now thoroughly and minutely chopped, or broken up 

 with the edge of a sharp spade, or other instrument, and again 

 left till October. At this period it is dug in, and well mixed 

 with the top six or eight inches only of soil ; that beneath be- 

 ing on no account disturbed, in order that it may retain its 

 requisite firmness or solidity. It is once more turned roughly 

 over in December, that it may be thoroughly acted on by the 

 frost; and at the end of January, the surface is finally made 

 even, and at the same time moderately compressed with the 

 rake. As, whether this or any other method be adopted, it is 

 highly beneficial that the top three inches of soil, in which 

 the roots are set, and have to form their tubers, should not be 

 too compact, 1 now cover the bed with about half an inch of 

 sand, arid by a free action with the teeth of the rake, thor- 



