136 THE RANUNCULUS. 



The ranunculus may be forced by selecting tubers which 

 have been kept several months over the season of planting, 

 as these are more readily excited. Plant these in pots 

 about the first of August ; grow them in a cold frame with 

 plenty of air, light, and water ; and, by bringing them into the 

 greenhouse at different times, a bloom may be kept up from 

 October to February. 



This plant will well repay careful culture, and does not 

 merit the neglect with which it has been treated in this 

 country. 



As we have said, there are many hundred varieties : of 

 these, the following are good : 



Aigle noir. Black. 



Commodore Napier. Yellow. 



Cramoisi a cceur vert. 



Hortense. 



Jaune panachee. 



Noir pourpre. Black. 



Hercules. White. 



Merveilleuse. Yellow. 



Scarlet Roman. 



A collection of a hundred varieties ordered from any 

 Dutch florist would probably contain many very fine kinds. 



