260 RANUNCULUS. 



that mark the petals, but the nearer to the hue of 

 the eye and stripes the better. In raising seeds 

 choose, according to the above properties the finest 

 flowers and keep them apart from others. Sow in 

 February and transplant in September, in fine beds 

 rather moist and shady. The main thing in subse- 

 quent cultivation is to part the roots every year, 

 and transfer the plants to new and well dug ground. 

 Snails must be watched in spring : and if the leaves 

 prematurely wither in summer, it will be found that 

 red-spider or some other insect is at work. Infected 

 plants, in order to save the rest, should be instantly 

 removed a rule as needful in this case as in plague 

 or cholera; the diseased plants may however be 

 cured by steeping for an hour in weak decoction 

 of tobacco leaves. 



Ranunculus. This is one of those flowers of 

 which a great number must grow together to give 

 effect to their beauty, as well as to have the advan- 

 tage of a cultivation which would be troublesome 

 in detached portions. The varieties amount to 

 some hundreds; the colours are brilliant, and when 

 well mingled they dazzle the eye. Each double 

 flower has innumerable petals ranged in a form ex- 

 actly hemispherical ; and when duly cultivated the 

 ranunculus bed will show its nodding golden heads 

 as large as a watch of the ancient form. With less 

 art, the appearance is as poor as possible, present- 

 ing many blanks, and here and there a few bache- 

 lor's buttons. Grudge not to trench and sift a 



O 



sheltered bed to the depth of three or four feet, 



