U-t FAMILIAR GARDEX FLOWERS. 



and temperance are jjood old friends." It is one of the 

 palest coloured and least polished of the yellow flowers of 

 the ranunculus fainil}', but it is a tr\ily beautiful dower, 

 with some fine points for the observant artist, and will 

 serve as a lesson for the observant amateur in its love of a 

 deep rich moist soil, for this is a special peculiarity of a 

 majority of its kindred. 



The several species of Trollinx are good garden plants, 

 compact in growth, and not given to rambling; deep root- 

 ing and well able to take care of themselves in a suitable, well- 

 drained soil ; liking moisture indeed, but requiring to be 

 protected against stagnant water near the surface. They 

 are proper border plants, of little use for grouping, but 

 showing well in large clumps. The_y may be propagated 

 from seeds and by divisions of the root. It is onlv when a 

 large stock is required that seeds should be sown, although 

 to raise them is a very simple matter. It is best alwa3's to 

 sow in pans or boxes as soon as ripe, and shut ujj in an old 

 frame; or, lacking the accommodation, the seed mav he 

 sown on a sheltered border, and the spot should be marked 

 with a tally, to prevent disturbance and insure timel)^ 

 removal of weeds as fast as they apjiear. The seeds will 

 not germinate until the following spring, and if the plants 

 are piricked out when large enough to handle, a nice bed of 

 light soil being selected for the purpose, one vear's o-i-ow- 

 ing will make flowering specimens of them, although for 

 tine clumps we must wait four or five vears. ^Mien a few 

 plants only are wanted, the roots should lie divided in 

 August or September, and the divisions at once planted 

 where they are to remain. To divide into manv small 

 pieces will be to risk loss of all in the winter, there- 

 fore it is true ecouonivto be content with cuttino- a stron^- 



