362 Cultivation and Managemetit of the Ranunculus. 



"Practical" men attribute the effect to the water "burning" 

 or "scalding" the leaves, although the operation is performed 

 at eventide. They reflect not that the smartest thunder- 

 shower injures not a leaflet. 



The reason why many plants suffer from being supplied 

 with water during the continuance of hot, sunny weather, 

 seems to be the absorption of a large quantity of fluid by 

 their roots, and the consequent excited and increased exhala- 

 tion of it by their leaves; which finally induces exhaustion of 

 their functions, and death. Yet, there are peculiarities in 

 many varieties of the ranunculus, in which watering seems 

 to effect the injury in a different way. For I have observed 

 that the foliage acquires, during the prevalence of hot, 

 droughty weather, a peculiar, bright, shining, and polished 

 appearance — a condition preventive of, and, indeed, a pro- 

 vision against, free exhalation. I conceive, therefore, that in 

 such instances, the water, which is abundantly absorbed by 

 the succulent roots, meeting a hindrance to its being freely 

 carried off, a state of over-repletion is induced, and conse- 

 quent decay. And this explanation finds corroboration from 

 the fact, that the leaves and leaf-stalks are not in these cases 

 dried up and withered, but are rather found in a condition of 

 damp or moist decay. If, however, sand be employed as a 

 covering in tJie manner I have pointed out, and the other 

 conditions of the bed be attended to as before advised, as to 

 the retentive nature of the soil, and its being left undisturbed 

 from a few inches below the surface, artificial watering will 

 be wholly unnecessary, and hence no extra space should be 

 left between the rows, as previously shown, for such purpose. 



When the plants are in flower, an awning should be erected, 

 as in a tulip bed, to preserve them from the effects of the sun, 

 rain, &c. As soon as the perfection of the bloom is past, let 

 it be at once removed, and the bed freely exposed to the 

 weather. 



A most important operation yet remains to be stated — the 

 taking up of the roots. If too long delayed, they again issue 

 forth new fibres ; an untoward circumstance, which either 

 prevents their flowering the following year, or which des- 

 troys them altogether. On the other hand, if they are har- 

 vested too soon, the roots pine and shrivel, and bloom week- 

 ly ; yet, of the two, this is the lesser evil. As soon as the 



