360 Cultivation and Management of the Rannncnlus. 



onghly mix it with the surface soil, and leaving it perfectly 

 smooth and even, plant the rannncuhises in the course of a 

 week or ten days following. St. Valentine should be consti- 

 tuted the patron saint of ranunculus planting. The operation 

 should on no account be deferred beyond the fourteenth of 

 February. It is impossible to express too strongly the impor- 

 tance of early planting. 



The method of planting the roots is of much consideration, 

 as error in its performance is a very common cause of failure 

 in respect to their flowering. It is the worst of practices first 

 to plant them (after the manner of tulips), and then to cover 

 them the requisite depth with soil. Nor do I recommend the 

 setting of them in drills, as some excellent cultivators are 

 wont to do; and especially if a light and different soil is 

 placed in the drills in which the roots are to be set, and with 

 which the drill is afterwards to be filled up. The soil should 

 be uniform in texture, or mechanical properties, that the 

 effects of general agents, viz., of rain, sun, drying winds, &c., 

 be at least uniform. Dibbling the roots is the best, and is as 

 far preferable to any other method, as is the dibbling of beans 

 superior to drill sowing. Half a dozen holes may be made at 

 once by means of an instrument similar to the head of a rake, 

 having pieces of wood one inch and a half long (and covered 

 with tin to lessen the adhering of the soil thereto) projecting 

 from it, at the regulated distances of four inches ; these being 

 pressed into the soil, the holes are formed. 



The practice, however, which I myself adopt and prefer is 

 the following : Having marked out on the surface of the bed 

 the situation of the rows, holding the root by its crown be- 

 tween the forefinger and thumb, and using the middle finger 

 as a dibble, a hole is made by a downward and lateral pres- 

 sure, about one inch and a half in depth ; into this the root is 

 inserted, or fixed, moderately firm, that the claws or tubers 

 have hold of the soil. The whole being planted, the holes 

 are filled up from the surrounding soil with the fingers, and 

 then the surface is smoothed over with the palm of the hand. 

 Strong roots may be planted about four inches apart : when 

 they are smaller, it is desirable that two should be planted 

 together, as all weak roots will not bloom, and it greatly de- 

 tracts from the appearance of a bed to see occasional vacan- 



