254 Notes on Gardens, and Nurseries. 



Art. IV. Notes on Gardens and Nurseries. 



Mr. Walker^ s Ranuncidus show. — A few days since we 

 were highly gratified with an exhibition of that exquisite 

 flower, the ranunculus in the garden of our correspondent, 

 Mr. Walker. Few flowers, in England, are more highly 

 prized among the florists than this ; and large and extensive 

 collections are cultivated by some of the amateur fanciers. 

 Next to the tulip, it holds the highest rank, and during the 

 last ten years, many new and truly splendid varieties have 

 been produced, by English cultivators. As long since as 

 1830, we were ardent admirers of the ranunculus, and so 

 great was our desire for a fine collection, after growing only 

 ordinary kinds, that, in the autumn of 1833, we im- 

 ported, from Messrs. Tyso & Son, who had one of the 

 best collections in England, one hundred roots, at the ex- 

 travagant price of twenty Jive dollars. These we flowered 

 in very fine condition, and continued their cultivation for 

 two or three years, until other objects demanded so much 

 of our time, that we found it necessary to dispose of 

 our roots; resolving, at the same time, that when our 

 leisure would again permit, we would renew our cultiva- 

 tion of a flower, which, we are free to confess, far above 

 all others, was our favorite among the florist's productions. 



From these remarks it may be at once inferred, that Mr. 

 Walker's bed aflbrded us a rich treat; and not only in its 

 mere beauty, but because we consider it tending to awaken 

 anew, the taste for this flower. In our volume for 1840, 

 (VI. p. 416,) we gave a long article on the cultivation of 

 the ranunculus, with a view to render its cultivation 

 within the reach of admirers of flowers ; and as a still fur- 

 ther aid in the object, we trust the present collection of Mr. 

 Walker will do much to induce its more general cultivation. 

 Mr. Walker, having had an exceedingly fine growth from 

 spring planting, he has offered to give us an article on the 

 subject, which will appear in the course of the summer, 

 before planting time comes on. 



The bed numbers nearly or quite one thousand roots, 

 and many of them beautiful kinds, but we believe, gener- 

 ally without name. They were planted out in March, 

 and have had the protection of the tulip house, since the 

 warm weather came on, and have made a vigorous growth. 



