320 



Garden and Forest. 



[Number 176. 



light and moderately rich soil. The best situation is one 

 where the roots will be moderately dry in winter, and which 

 affords moisture and partial shade in summer. Propagate 

 by dividing the plants early in the season before growth 

 commences. 



Ranunculus aconitifolius. — This is a native of Europe, 

 and was introduced in 1596. It is a hardy herbaceous peren- 



it was not known to be wild anywhere in his time. At all 

 events, it has long been a favorite among hardy border plants, 

 and is invariably met with in those rare old-fashioned gardens 

 kept by really old-fashioned people in parts of England and 

 Ireland, They would hardly know it by such a name as R. 

 aconitifolius, however, being satisfied with such simple 

 names as "Bachelors' Buttons" and "Fair Maids of France." 



Fig. 55. — A View in Bronx Park, New York. — See page 314. 



nial, from twelve to eighteen inches high, and of profuse 

 branching habit. The flowers are small, white and single, 

 but they appear in great abundance. It is seldom found in 

 gardens, but the variety known as R. aconitifolius flore pleno is 

 a popular plant. This was introduced about the same time as 

 the species, according to Loudon, but Gerard informs us that 



Masses, about a yard across, intermixed with similar masses of 

 other plants, are more effective than those of larger dimen- 

 sions. Occasional clumps on the verge of a shrubbery have a 

 pleasing effect, and the flowers are among the best that canjbe 

 used for cutting. \ '.'-'"-^ 



Cambridge, Mass. M. Barker. 



