Cultivation of the Ranunculus. 567 



Mr. Sweet, in figuring in his Florisfs Guide the Tiara 

 ranunculus, plate 170., gave from the Gardener's Magazine 

 (Vol. VI. p. 548.) Mr. Tyso's excellent mode of raising new 

 varieties, but added, " In figuring our next ranunculus, we 

 shall give our own remprks on the same subject." Faithful 

 to his promise, Mr. Sweet did so under the Leonora ranun- 

 culus, figured at plate 174'. These remarks, deeming them 

 valuable, we gave entire in p. 205, 206. of our present volume. 



We have seen the Rev. Joseph Tyso's catalogue of ra- 

 nunculuses, tulips, &c., for 1831, just published; which is 

 printed on a large sheet, and may be had gratis on applica- 

 tion, post paid. The roots are on sale for benevolent pur- 

 poses. We have on a former occasion (Vol. IV. p. 383.) 

 expressed our opinion on the excellency of the plan of this 

 catalogue, which has since been adopted by Messrs. Browxi 

 of Slough, and Woollard of Ipswich. — J. I), for Cond. 



Art. VI. On the Cultivation of the Ranunculus, 

 By Mr. James Reid. 

 Sir, 

 The blossom of every plant being single in an uncultivated 

 state, the circumstance of any producing more than the natural 

 number of petals, under the fostering care of man, is chiefly, 

 if not solely, to be attributed to the greater quantity of nourish- 

 ment ajEForded them than Nature has provided. To grow 

 double flowers in perfection, therefore, it is obvious that they 

 ought to be supplied with as much of the richest nourishment 

 .as they are possibly capable of receiving, provided this can 

 be done without injuring the health of the plant. In the case 

 of the ranunculus, if the necessary quantity of manure be 

 applied without precautions being taken to keep the tubers 

 from coming in contact with it, however well reduced and 

 incorporated with the soil it may be, there is considerable risk 

 of their getting diseased, particularly of being attacked by a 

 small whitish insect that abounds among all richly manured 

 soils. To guard against this, I adopted the following method, 

 which has been found to answer exceedingly well, the bloom 

 produced being such as not easily to be surpassed : — After 

 the roots are lifted, the bed is dug over fully 18 in. deep; the 

 mould all along the surface is then removed to, the depth of 

 about 4 in., and its place filled up with a mixture of short 

 horse and cow dung, not more reduced than is necessary to 

 make it fall easily in the working. This is turned very lightly- 

 down, barely covering it : it is again turned over in October, 

 and well mixed with the mould, taking care to keep the 



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