244 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



erect ; for if planted sidewise it will undoubtedly throw 

 the flower stem in the same direction. The Dahlia, if 

 planted upside down, will naturally find its way up, but 

 not so with the Ranunculus. To this circumstance may 

 be attributed so many failures by persons not acquainted 

 with this fact. The proper time to divide the tubers is 

 when you take them up, after the flower-stem has died 

 down, as the tubers then are not so brittle as when dry. 

 When the tubers appear dry, pack them in sand, to remain 

 until the time of planting again. 



In England, where the summers are frequented with 

 gentle showers, these flowers can be produced at any time 

 through the year, by planting accordingly ; which, no 

 doubt, with proper attention, could be effected in this coun- 

 try. The soil best suited to the culture of the Ranunculus 

 would be a fresh maiden soil with a small portion of cow 

 manure four years old, well incorporated with it. The 

 tubers must be planted about two inches deep, and in dry 

 weather should be watered between the roots ; and when 

 in flower, they should be screened from the sun, to pre- 

 serve the purity of their colors. 



SCHIZANTHUS. 



(RETUSUS.) 



This beautiful annual is a native of the mountains of 

 South America, and was introduced into Europe in 1831. 



