494 THE PLEASURE, OR [SEPT. 



composed of many strong fleshy fibres, formed like that of the 

 Ranunculus asiaticus or garden ranunculus, and increasing in the 

 same manner. It is a native of the Alps of Europe, and is very 

 scarce at present in America. 



This beautiful plant flowers generally in the latter end of May 

 and June, and may be propagated by taking up the roots now, or at 

 any time after the stems decay, separating the offsets, taking care, 

 at the same time, to preserve the crown of each unhurt, and plant- 

 ing them in any good garden earth. Their thick fibres are to be 

 spread around, and the upper part of each root is to be covered 

 about too inches deep, if planted in beds or borders, but if in pots, 

 one inch will be sufficient ; raise the earth in the centre of the pot, 

 place the root thereon, spreading the fibres around and downward, 

 then fill in the earth and cover as above. The pots will require 

 some protection and but very little water during winter, for no 

 root or plant will bear as much frost when in pots, as if planted in 

 the open ground. This plant looks beautiful in rooms and windows, 

 when in flower, as well as in borders and beds. 



Ranunculuses and Anemones. 



In the last week or ten days of this month you should plant a few 

 beds of ranunculuses and anemones, for an early bloom, as directed 

 in October ; but I would not recommend the general planting of 

 those roots sooner than next month; however, it will be proper 

 at this time to begin to prepare the beds, &c. as there advised. 



Planting -various kinds of Bulbous Roots. 



Spring crocuses, snowdrops, fritillaries, crown-imperials, dens- 

 canises, dwarf Persian, English and Spanish bulbous Irises, scarlet 

 martagons, white, superb, Canada, and red lilies, and all other kinds 

 of bulbs that do not agree with being kept long out of ground, 

 should now be planted if possible : for although these roots may be 

 kept up much longer if preserved from the air, in dry sand, saw 

 dust, dry chaff or the like, yet they would not flower near so well 

 next season, as if planted in due time. 



Common tulips, hyacinths, narcissus, &c. may now be planted 

 in the borders of the pleasure grounds, in small clumps of four or 

 five in a place, covering the roots about four inches deep, if the 

 soil be dry and light, if stiff and heavy, three inches will be suffi- 

 cient; but the latter kind of soil should not be chosen for this 

 purpose if possible: where the borders are naturally inclined 

 to clay, proper earth should be brought on barrows, and holes 

 made in the spots where you intend planting, about a foot in diam- 

 ter, and at least, the same in depth, which fill with the good soil 

 and plant the roots therein, covering as above. 



Van Thol and other early tulips, may now be planted in a warm 

 soil and exposure, for an early spring bloom. 



