244 



Notes and Gleaninsrs. 



twelve ounces ; form oblong-obovate, large at base, and somewhat contracted in 

 the middle, quite blunt at stem-end ; skin smooth, very handsome vhen ripe, 

 being yellow with bright red on the sunny side ; flesh yellowish-white, fine- 



grained, quite juicy, and of good quality ; stem short, eye small, closed, in a 

 slight plaited basin. Ripe, October. Should be picked and ripened in house ; 

 very promising. 



The Ranunculus. — It has always been a question with florists as to what 

 soil is best suited to this plant. While any good, light soil will bloom the ranun- 

 culus, care in the preparation of a suitable bed is rewarded by increased size 

 and beauty of flower, both in form, color, and substance. 



A compost which is sure to grow them well may be thus prepared : Cut from 

 a good loamy pasture the surface sods, three inches thick : let these be piled 

 one on another in ridges for a year, and then sliced down with a sharp spade to 

 form a crumbly mass. Turn this over carefully, and pick out all wire-worms, 

 grubs, and insects. Then pile it all into a heap again, and let it remain another 

 year ; by which time, all the grass and herbage will have resolved itself into 



