THE RANVNCULUS. 91 



British growers soon outsped the Dutchmen in the pro- 

 duction of fine varieties, as they have done also in the 

 case of the anemone, tuUp, and other famous flowers for 

 which they have been indebted to Holland in the first 

 instance. Fifty years ago there were in cultivation fully 

 a thousand named varieties ; indeed, Maddoek catalogued 

 eight hundred. Twenty years ago the fullest catalogue 

 current contained only three hundred, and at the present 

 time wlien we meet with a trade list it com])rises a few 

 dozen only, or perhaps less than a score. 



But as there are as good fish in the sea as ever came 

 out of it, so the amateur who will labour earnestly in 

 raising seedling ranunculuses may soon become possessed 

 of a race of first-class flowers, answering in "properties" 

 to the severest requirements of the florists. The seed 

 should be sown in January, in boxes of sweet loamy soil 

 without manure, and the boxes should be kept in a frame 

 or a cool greenhouse. The plants should appear in about 

 six weeks. They require only ordinary attention as re- 

 gards watering and so forth, but they will not endure 

 neglect, and it is of great importance to let them have 

 plenty of air and light from the first, to insure perfect 

 hardiness. When the leaves die down in July, the bulbs 

 are to be sifted out and stored away in dry sand. 



The roots (or tubers), whether purchased or raised 

 from seed, should be planted out in November in gardens 

 that are well drained and remote from towns ; but where 

 the soil is damp or there is much coal-smoke, it is best 

 not to plant them out until February, so that there shall 

 be no growth above ground until the spring is somewhat 

 advanced. A deep loam suits the flower better than any 

 other soil, and the roots should be planted only two 



