272 STUDIES IN GARDENING 



Ranunculus Asiaticiis, however, are best planted in 

 February or March; although the Turkish or Tur- 

 ban Ranunculi are hardier than the French or Persian, 

 and will often do well if planted in October or Novem- 

 ber. These garden Ranunculi have gone out of fash- 

 ion with other flowers that suggest Dresden china. 

 But they have a considerable precise beauty of their 

 own and their colours are exquisite. It is a pity that 

 single forms of them are not more cultivated. The 

 single scarlet species, however, is now becoming pop- 

 ular, and it is to be hoped that its beauty will cause 

 a demand for single varieties of other colours. The 

 Ranunculi require careful cultivation to do well. The 

 soil must be rich and strong, but not too heavy, and 

 they must not be allowed to suffer from drought 

 while growing. They like a sunny position and are 

 apt to rot away if planted in very wet weather. Neither 

 Anemones nor Ranunculi are really bulbs, nor have 

 they any resemblance to bulbs; but since they are 

 treated like bulbs we may be excused for speaking 

 of them now. There are many Cape bulbs worth a 

 trial in English gardens which we have not mentioned, 

 but most of them are little known at present and 

 should be tested by experts before they are attempted 

 by the ordinary gardener who does not wish his experi- 

 ence to be costly and painful. 



