SOIL FOR RANUNCULUSES. 51 



But to continue my instructions : the bed for 

 ranunculuses should be from eighteen inches to 

 two feet deep, and not raised more than four 

 inches above the level of the walks, in order 

 to preserve the moisture more effectually. 



At about five inches below the surface, should 

 be placed a stratum of two-year old rotten 

 cow-dung, mixed with earth, six or eight inches 

 thick; but the earth above, where the roots 

 are to be planted, should be perfectly free from 

 dung, which would prove injurious rather than 

 beneficial, if too near them. 



The fibres will draw sufficient nourishment 

 from it at the depth mentioned; but if the 

 dung were placed deeper, it would not receive 

 so much advantage from the action of the air, 

 which is an object of consequence. 



The surface of the bed should be raked per- 



