On the Cultivation of Ranunculuses in Pots. 213 



the fact that bulbous roots hke a deep pot to produce large and full 

 formed flowers, I selected several hyacinth pots, which are made 

 about ten inches deep and six wide at the top. In these the roots 

 were planted early in the month of January in a good compost 

 mixed together in nearly the following proportions : — one half good 

 fresh loam and the other half old hot-bed manure. 



After they were set out they received a good watering, and the 

 pots were placed away in front of the green-house, underneath the 

 hot-water pipes, where they received but little light ; in the course 

 of three weeks or a month the shoots began to make their appear- 

 ance above the soil, and the pots were then removed on to a shelf 

 above the pipes, where they could have the benefit of the light of 

 both the roof and front sashes. They here made a vigorous 

 growth, producing fine large green leaves, and throwing up in the 

 course ot a month, flower buds exceedingly stocky and strono- ; in 

 some of the pots I counted upwards of twelve. From the time 

 they were placed upon the shelf they received large quantities of 

 water and one or two of the front sashes, against which they stood, 

 in all mild weather, were opened to prevent the plants from being 

 drawn up. "With only this attention they continued to advance 

 their flower stems until April, when they blossomed finely, and pre- 

 sented a most beautiful display ; some of the stems were more 

 than a foot in height, and proportion ably strong ; many who saw 

 them were astonished at their vigor. After their flowers had fallen, 

 the roots were turned out, as, when forced, they are not worth 

 srowing afterwards. 



At the time the roots were planted, two of the pots were imme- 

 diately removed to a small house, which was kept to the tempera- 

 ture of about 60°, and placed upon a stage in rather a shady situ- 

 ation ; they soon began to grow, and were considerably in advance 

 of the others in the green-house; but the foliage was not so large, 

 nor the flower stems so numerous, tall, or strong ; the color of the 

 flowers was also less brilliant, and they continued in beauty a less 

 length of time. Like hyacinths and other bulbs, they require to 

 be planted and kept away from heat and light until the roots have 

 struck deep into the soil, so as to afford nourishment as soon as they 

 are brought into these elements again ; separate from the depth of 

 soil in the pots, I attribute the strong growth of the plants to the 

 long time they were allowed to remain underneath the front stage 

 unexposed to the light. Should these few remarks be the means 

 of extending the cultivation of this beautiful plant in pots, I shall 

 feel much gratified ; and, at the same time, it would give me much 

 pleasure to hear, from some of your correspondents, the best mode 

 of growing them in beds in the open garden. Yours, 



Cambridgeport, April 28, 1836. S. Sweetser. 



