566 On raising Seedling Raiiunculuscs. 



dark, white, scarlet, crimson, yellow, striped, yellow-edged, 

 white-edged, spotted, mottled, olive, &c. ; and a number of 

 the best semidoubles of each corresponding class, producing 

 anthers as well as pericarps. Then, if a new dark flower is 

 desired, fertilise Naxara, Variat, Quixos, or any good dark 

 flower, with the pollen of a dark semidouble or nearly double 

 flower, containinjT the best properties as to colour, shape of 

 petals, and general habit. If a superior flower with a yellow 

 ground and dark edging be desired, then fertilise Grand 

 Monarque, Julius, or Grand Berger, with the pollen of a 

 yellow-edged flower of first rate properties. Those that have 

 the greatest number of petals are to be preferred, so that they 

 have anthers producing farina. A similar method must be 

 pursued in order to obtain a superior flower of any other 

 class. The seed generated in this way will certainly produce 

 some fine varieties. Let the parent flowers possess the requi- 

 site properties, and there can be no doubt but a part of their 

 offspring will do the same, and some of them in a higher 

 degree of perfection than their renowned progenitors. This 

 I consider the perfection of the system, and 1 want only one 

 variety to complete it, namely, a good scarlet and yellow- 

 striped, in the way of Melange des Beautes, producing anthers. 

 If any of your readers possess roots of this character, I should 

 be happy to receive a few from them ; and in return I can 

 supply them with any other they may require. If Mr. Reid 

 or any other florist can suggest any improvement upon the 

 above method, I hope he will communicate it to the public 

 through the medium of your highly interesting miscellany. 



The cultivation of the tulip, carnation, auricula, and other 

 florists* flowers has been carried to great perfection, while 

 very little has been done to improve the ranunculus, except 

 by Mr. Waterstone of Paisley, and myself. I have raised 

 about fifty superb varieties ; for two of which, Leonora and 

 Reform, 1 have refused twenty pounds. I have several others 

 equally good, which bloomed for the first time this season. 

 They are so superior to many of the old named sorts, that I 

 have thrown into mixtures more than one hundred sorts this 

 year. The old varieties amount to six or seven hundred, but 

 they may, with great propriety, be reduced to two or three 

 hundred, without any real loss. 



If florists persevere in raising new varieties, according to 

 the above directions, in a very few years there v/ill not be 

 more tlian one hundred of the old varieties cultivated under 

 name. I am. Sir, yours, &c. 



Joseph Tyso. 



WalUngJord, July 16. 1831. 



