52 PLANTING RANUNCULUSES. [MARCH. 



fectly flat, and the roots planted in rows, at the 

 distance of about five inches from each other. 



It is better to plant in shallow trenches, 

 made nearly two inches deep, than to make 

 holes for the reception of the roots. The 

 making the holes hardens the surrounding 

 earth, and the holes are sometimes not well 

 filled up, and there is then an open cup left at 

 the bottom, which holds the water, and not 

 unfrequently causes the root to rot. 



A little clean coarse sand should be sprink- 

 led into the trenches, and the roots should be 

 placed with the claws downwards, from three 

 to four inches asunder, according to their size. 

 When the trench has received the roots, it 

 should be carefully filled up with the same 

 earth that was taken out, so as to cover the 

 root exactly one inch and a half. It is not 

 usual to plant ranunculuses intended for show 



