394 THE PLEASURE, OR [May. 



colours, or the usual height and growth of the plants. About five or 

 six weeks after the bulbs are taken up and properly dried, it is pro- 

 per to take oft' their loose skins, fibres, and offsets; the last brown 

 skin which is so intimately connected with the root, ought to be 

 left on; after which they should be preserved, in dry sand, barley 

 chaff', saw-dust, or rolled up in separate papers, till the time of 

 planting, for the action of the air during our warm summers and 

 autumns would greatly weaken and injure them, by drying up part 

 of their juices. 



The smallest and weakest offsets, particularly such as are not 

 provided with a brown skin, ought to be replanted as soon as they 

 are taken up, about an inch and a half deep, in a fresh sandy loam, 

 and in a dry situation; or instead of replanting these offsets so early, 

 they may be preserved from the drying influence of the air by 

 burying them in dry sand till October, when they are to be planted 

 as already mentioned. 



Common tulips, planted in the borders of the pleasure-ground, &c. 

 need not be taken up oftener than once in two or three years, to 

 separate the offsets, and replant the bulbs in fresh earth. 



Ranunculuses. 



The weather in this month is generally very clear and hot; the 

 ranuncluses ought to be shaded at such times from the mid-day 

 sun, by means of lofty hoops and mats, or by some better contri- 

 vance, that will admit light and air freely; a frame and cover, similar 

 to that directed for hyacinths in page 341, would answer best, if 

 expense and trouble were not to be considered: it will, however, 

 be absolutely necessary to shade them, in some manner, during 

 the period of bloom, otherwise they will continue but a short time, 

 especially the dark rich coloured sorts; for, in proportion as their 

 colours approach to black, is the injury they will receive from the 

 rays of the sun, if it is permitted to shine upon them in full force; 

 some of the very darkest cannot stand it a day without being en- 

 tirely deprived of their beauty. The light coloured sorts will bear 

 the sun's rays much better, reflecting them in proportion as they 

 approach to white; green is the only colour that reflects and ab- 

 sorbs the rays of light in equal proportion, and consequently, is 

 more predominant in the vegetable kingdom than any other. 



During the continuance of the bloom, the earth around the roots 

 must be occasionally watered as directed in page 345, but when 

 that is over, they will require it but seldom, and not at all should 

 gentle showers of rain occur now and then, but shading in the mid- 

 dle of hot days will be very beneficial to the plants; it tends to 

 prolong their vegetation, and the size and substance of the roots 

 are thereby increased. For their further treatment, see the Flower 

 Garden in June. 



A Description of the Properties of a Fine Double Ranunculus. 

 The stem should be strong, straight, and from eight to twelve 



