THE RANUNCULUS. 135 



The roots may be kept over the winter, and planted in the 

 spring, as they are possessed of great vitality ; but they often, 

 become too dry, and more frequently mould. 



No plant is more easily increased by seed, which may be 

 sown in February in light soil, in boxes, in the greenhouse, 

 where it will vegetate freely in about a month ; but none of 

 the seedlings will be like the parent plant or like each 

 other. The young tubers should be ripened off in July ; and, 

 treated like old plants, will flower the next June. 



The properties of a good ranunculus, as laid down by the 

 best authorities, are, the stem should be upright, eight to 

 twelve inches high, and strong enough to support the flower. 

 The form of the flower should be hemispherical, not less 

 than two inches in diameter, consisting of numerous petals, 

 gradually diminishing in size to the centre, lying over each 

 other so as neither to be too close nor too much separated, 

 but having more of a perpendicular than horizontal direc- 

 tion, in order to display the colors with better effect. The 

 petals should be broad, with entire, well-rounded edges ; the 

 colors dark, clear, rich, or brilliant, either of one color, or 

 variously diversified on a ground of cinerous white, prim- 

 rose-yellow, or flame-color, or diversified with elegant 

 stripes, spots, or mottling. 



