6S 



THE ILOWEE GAEDI>~. 



and does well in heath-mould in the open air with the 

 protection of a covering of litter in winter. 



Ranunculus. — The florists' Ranunculus is the R. 

 Asiatic us ; but the genus is large, and several of the 

 species, in their double varieties, are cultivated as border 

 flowers. R. Ficaria. Double Pilewort. with gold-lacquered 

 flowers, is the earnest and the most dwarf. The tubers may 

 be divided every season. R. a-conitifolius. Aconite-leaved 

 Crowfoot, produces abundance of double white flowers ; 

 the Double Buttercup, or iMeadow Crowfoot. R. acris. is 

 equally useful in filling up vacancies. R. gramineus, 

 Grass-leaved Ranunculus, which also produces double 

 blossoms, is mainly remarkable for its foliage differing 

 from the usual type of the genus. R. repens. Creeping 

 Crowfoot, has likewise double yellow flowers. The Turban 

 Ranunculuses are of more robust stature than the above, 

 with larger, semi-double, more globular flowers, varving 

 in shades of white, orange, and yellow. All these are 

 hardy, of easy culture and propagation in soil like that 

 of loamy pasture-land. 



The florists' Ranunculus has for many years past been 

 carefully cultivated by the same class of amateurs as 

 tulip-fanciers and auricula-growers. The roots, which 

 are something like miniature dahlia-roots, consist of a 

 bundle of small, fleshy, spindle-shaped bodies, called 

 claws, which are united at the crown of the plant, whence 

 sprout one or more eyes. The Ranunculus requires a 

 light yet substantial loam, free from pebbles, and pre- 

 viousiy enriched by the complete incorporation of leaf- 

 mould and the materials of a spent hotbed. The pro- 

 portions of these will vary according to the heaviness or 

 sandy nature of the original soil. All scalding droughts, 

 as well as superfluous moisture, must be guarded against. 

 As to the time of planting, there are two opinions ; some 

 put the roots into the ground at the end of October, and 

 this is best if the ensuing winter proves favourable. 

 Others defer it till January or February, when they hope 

 that the severest inclemency of the season has passed 

 away. The safety insured by the latter plan is purchased 



