568 Culture of the Gesnaex. 



manure near the surface, as the lower stratum will be suf- 

 ficiently enriched with what is washed down by the winter 

 rains. It is then raked quite level, and lies in this state till 

 the time of planting, which should be as early in February as 

 possible. The bed will then have sunk down considerably. 

 To meet this, a quantity of rich fresh loam is laid up in 

 autumn under a shed, or where v/ell defended from rain. As 

 much of this dry earth is now spread over it as raises it 

 exactly 2 in. from the intended height. The roots are then 

 placed on the surface in squares of 3^ in. or 4 in. a little sea sand 

 spread over them, and then covered up with dry earth, taking 

 particular care not to bury them deeper than 2 in. from the 

 bottom of the tubers. They are thus kept quite separate from 

 the manure, while, by having it so closely under them, they 

 derive as much nourishment as if it had been mixed with the 

 whole soil. This method also combines the advantages of a 

 dry bed and early planting, both of which are so essential to 

 obtaining a fine and general bloom, and which cannot ordi- 

 narily be obtained except in such situations as are so very dry 

 as to be unfit for the ranunculus. The temperature of the 

 earth in which they are planted being considerably higher 

 than that of the open ground, from having been kept sheltered 

 and dry, germination will sooner take place, and the risk of 

 injury from frost be also considerably diminished. Nor is the 

 trouble attending this method more in the end than that 

 encountered in the ordinary way. By being partially renewed 

 every year, the bed will never require to be wholly changed, 

 as it is usual, every few years ; while the regularity with which 

 such small roots can be placed on the plane surface, besides 

 the general equality in depth obtained, renders it not only 

 greatly superior to drill planting, but the ease with which it is 

 done makes it almost as expeditious. 



I cannot conclude without expressing my gratification at 

 the important communication by the Rev. Joseph Tyso, " On 

 the Culture of Seedling Ranunculuses." (Vol. VI. p. S^S.) 



I am. Sir, yours, &c. James Reid. 



Bousefield, near Dunfermlijie, Nov. 8. 1830. 



Art. VII. On the Culture of the Gesnerese. 

 By Mr. Thomas Ai'pleby. 

 Sir, 

 Having been pretty successful in cultivating that beautiful 

 family of plants, the Gesnere*^, I am induced to send you an 

 account of my method of treating them, as it may, perhaps, 

 prove acceptable to some of your readers. 



