Directions for Specific Culture. 103 
south-west, either on a sloping bank or on a level. 
Make a compost of leaf-mould, sand, and good loam 
in equal parts. Take out the existing soil, drain the 
part well, fill in with the prepared compost to a 
depth of 6in., and then plant. If planted when dor- 
mant, the crown should be buried 2in. below the 
surface. Make firm on the top. In the month of 
March, if the weather is very dry, watering should be 
commenced as soon as the little crown begins to 
push through the ground. After March, water must 
be given daily until the plant is in flower, then 
watering should gradually stop. By this time the 
plant will have made little runners. These should 
be carefully pegged down, and a little top-dressing 
put over the surface of the bed, to enable the runners 
to form eyes and take root, which they will soon do 
in the fresh soil. As soon as the leaves are all gone, 
watering may cease altogether until the following 
spring, when the same treatment will again be 
required. 
Ranunculus parnassifolius (Alps and Pyrenees). 
One of the finest of this family. This species 
loves a little more shade than the species already 
mentioned. Plant in a well-drained position on the 
flat with a north aspect, in deep, strong, rich loam, 
sandstone grit, and peat in equal parts, without any 
sand. If grown on limestone, use compost without 
the grit. In spring or autumn this plant is much 
benefited by a top-dressing. Like all the Ranunculi, 
this species should be divided and replanted every 
third year. 
