326 Some Remarks on the Ranunculus Asiatictis, 



of chemical combinations, effected by mixing them together, 

 no part of the ammonia disengaged by those substances 

 escapes, because it becomes chemically combined with 

 some one of them. 



Robert Carmichael. 



Nonantum Hill, Newton, August, 1844. 

 (To he continued.) 



Art. II. Some Remarks on the cultivation of the Ranuncu- 

 lus Asiaticus, ivith directions for Planting, 6^c. By S. 

 Walker. 



It is not my intention, Mr. Editor, to go into a general 

 description of this beautiful florist's flower, but rather to 

 lay before your readers my mode of cultivation. 



It is nearly twenty years since I first imported the Ra- 

 nunculus ; and, that I might be successful in the cultiva- 

 tion of the plants, I had reference to all the authorities on 

 the subject which were within my reach, and also consult- 

 ed with all the persons who I could ascertain had grown 

 them. After diligent search and careful examination. I 

 collated all the information thus obtained, and found that 

 all agreed on a light, fresh, sandy soil, made rich by cow 

 manure, with the addition of one eighth of sea sand, as 

 being a suitable and proper compost for the successful cul- 

 tivation of the Ranunculus. With a bed thus prepared, I 

 labored unsuccessfully for years, and at last almost gave 

 up in despair ; still my love for the Rananculus would re- 

 vive, and I was again aad again induced to import plants 

 and cultivate them in various soils; and altliough I was 

 repeatedly disappointed, yet I could not, or rather would 

 not, give up the idea that the Ranunculus might be suc- 

 cessfully grown in Massachusetts. 



In the year 1840, I imported about 200 plants, which I 

 cultivated in a new compost, planting them in November, 

 and covering them with a frame during the winter. This 

 was attended with much labor and some expense. The 

 bloom was good, and 1 felt satisfied that I had accomplished 

 something, if I had not overcome all the difficulties ; and 



