Notes ajid Gleanings. 245 



vegetable mould. At the end of the second year, turn it over again, and again 

 pick out any worms or grubs as before. In a soil of this nature, which is now 

 ready for use, the ranunculus will grow well. 



The ranunculus likes a stiffer soil than the anemone, and is very impatient of 

 drought. 



Many florists use stimulating manures ; but their effect is bad on the tubers, 

 causing rotting and disease, though often the size of the flower is increased. 



In forming beds, it is frequently the practice to place a layer of well-rotted 

 cow-dung about nine inches below the surface, which operates in the twofold 

 service of retaining moisture and supplying nourishment. 



The compost given above will, however, grow the tubers well, and give satis- 

 factory bloom, without any manure. The bed should be dug out about a foot 

 deep, and filled in with the compost, and the tubers be planted two inches deep, 

 in November, the earth being pressed close around them. On the approach of 

 very frosty weather, the bed should be covered with a frame filled with oak- 

 leaves, and this again with boards, to exclude the frost. Early in the spring, 

 remove the frame, and the plants will soon appear. Keep them clear of weeds, 

 and fork the earth loosely around them, watering them thoroughly if there should 

 be a season of drought. As they come into bloom, and begin to color, shade 

 them from the sun by an awning. When the flowers have faded, and the fohage 

 turned yellow, take up the tubers, and keep them in a cool place until the return 

 of the planting season. 



The roots may be kept over the winter, and planted in the spring, as they 

 are possessed of great vitality ; but they often become too dry, and more fre- 

 quently mould. 



No plant is more easily increased by seed, which may be sown in February 

 in light soil, in bo.xes, in the greenliouse, where it will vegetate freely in about a 

 month ; but none of the seedlings will be like the parent plant, or like each 

 other. The young tubers should be ripened off in July ; and, treated like old 

 plants, will flower the next June. 



The properties of a good ranunculus, as laid down by the best authorities, are, 

 — the stem should be upright, eight to twelve inches high, and strong enough 

 to support the flower. The form of the flower should be hemispherical, not less 

 than two inches in diameter, consisting of numerous petals, gradually diminish- 

 ing in size to the centre, lying over each other so as neither to be too close nor 

 too mucii separated, but having more of a perpendicular than horizontal direc- 

 tion, in order to display the colors with better effect. The petals should be 

 broad, with entire, well-rounded edges ; the colors dark, clear, rich, or brilliant, 

 either of one color, or variously diversified on a ground of cinerous white, 

 primrose-yellow, or flame-color, or diversified with elegant stripes, spots, or 

 mottling. 



The ranunculus may be forced by selecting tubers which have been kept 

 several months over the season of planting, as these are more readily excited. 

 Plant these in pots about the first of August ; grow them in a cold frame with 

 plenty of air, light, and water ; and, by bringing them into the greenhouse at 

 different times, a bloom may be kept up from October to February. 



