338 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
Raninculus répens flére pléno, is a double variety; 
the roots are creeping, and therefore the plant is rather 
troublesome. The flowers are pretty, of a glossy yellow, 
and in bloom a number of months. AR. acris flore pleno 
is a variety with upright stems; two feet high, with 
bright-yellow double flowers, in June and July. R. aco- 
nitifolius flore pleno.—This beautiful plant has fine dou- 
ble white flowers, in June; one foot high; for some reason 
it is not much cultivated in this country. It goes by the 
name of “Fair Maids of France.” 
R. Asiaticus, is one of the most splendid florist’s flow- 
ers in cultivation; but, unfortunately, oug climate is so 
uncongenial for its perfection, and it requires so much skill 
and care, that it has received but little attention, except by 
a few individuals. To have it in all its beauty and strength, 
it should be kept growing very moderately all winter; 
but our climate is so severe that this is impossible, in the 
open air, without too much covering, which would cause 
the plants to become drawn and weakened in such a man- 
ner as to be ruined., In a green-house this may be done; 
but how shall they be managed in the open air? Samuel 
Walker, Esq., formerly President of the Massachusetts 
Horticultural Society, has been the most successful of any 
person in this neighborhood, in blooming the Ranunculus 
in the open air. The following are the directions he gave 
for their cultivation, as published some years since: — 
“The soil should be trenched eighteen or twenty inch- 
es, and composed of good rich loam, to which add one- 
sixth part of very old, well-rotted cow manure, and the 
same quantity of clay, broken into small pieces; add to 
this a little sand, and thoroughly mix the whole; if the 
soil binds, add some sandy peat; make the bed ona level 
with the path or walks; the plants would do better if the 
bed was below, rather than above, the level. 
“Having prepared the soil, as above, some time during 
