MAY] FLOWER GARDEN. 409 



ing them in dry sand till October, when they are to be planted as 

 already mentioned. 



Common tulips, planted in the borders of the pleasure-ground, &c., 

 need not be taken up oftener than once in two or three years, to 

 separate the offsets, and replant the bulbs in fresh earth. 



RANUNCULUSES. 



The weather in this month is generally very clear and hot ; the 

 ranunculuses ought to be shaded at such times from the mid-day sun, 

 by means of lofty hoops and mats, or by some better contrivance, 

 that will admit light and air freely ; a frame and cover, similar to 

 that directed for hyacinths on page 354, would answer best, if ex- 

 pense and trouble were not to be considered : it will, however, be 

 absolutely necessary to shade them, in some manner, during the 

 period of bloom, otherwise they will continue but a short time, espe- 

 cially the dark rich colored sorts ; for, in proportion as their colors 

 approach to black, is the injury they will receive from the rays of 

 the sun, if it is permitted to shine upon them in full force ; some of 

 the very darkest cannot stand it a day without being entirely deprived 

 of their beauty. The light colored sorts will bear the sun's rays 

 much better, reflecting them in proportion as they approach to white; 

 green is the only color that reflects and absorbs the rays of light in 

 qual proportion, and consequently, is more predominant in the 

 vegetable kingdom than any other. 



During the continuance of the bloom, the earth around the roots 

 must be occasionally watered as directed on page 357, but when that 

 is over, they will require it but seldom, and not at all should gentle 

 showers of rain occur now and then, but shading in the middle of 

 hot days will be very beneficial to the plants ; it tends to prolong 

 their vegetation, and the size and substance of the roots are thereby 

 increased. For their further treatment, see the Flower Garden in 

 June. 



A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTIES OF A FINE DOUBLE RANUN- 

 CULUS. 



The stem should be strong, straight, and from eight to twelve 

 inches high, supporting a large well-formed flower, at least two inches 

 in diameter, consisting of numerous petals, the largest at the outside, 

 and gradually diminishing in size as they approach the centre, which 

 should be well filled up. 



The blossom should be of a hemispherical form, and its compo- 

 nent petals imbricated in such a manner as neither to be too close 

 and compact nor too widely separated, but have rather more of a per- 

 pendicular than of a horizontal direction, to display its colors with 

 better effect. 



The petals should be broad, and have perfectly entire well rounded 

 edges ; their colors should be dark, clear, rich, or brilliant, either con- 

 sisting of one color throughout, or be otherwise variously diversified 



