THE RANUNCULUS. 133 



these being the species from which the many varieties of 

 garden ranunculus and anemone have been derived. 



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 ranunculus, care in the preparation of a suitable 

 bed is rewarded by increased size and beauty of flower, 

 both ill 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 

 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. 



