BJNJINGULUS CULTURE. 



137 



Selection of Ornithogahms {continued). 



Pyrenaiciim, yellow and 

 green. 



thyrsoiclesj yellow ; several 



varieties, all thriving in 

 the greenhouse, 

 umbellatiim, white ; the 

 Star of Bethlehem. 



CDapter X£V— Ranunculuses. 



The Buttercup family has given us many fine garden plants, and 

 among these there are several that have tuberous roots. These do 

 well in the herbaceous border, but as a rule they are seen at their 

 best when planted in moist situations. The species now referred to 

 are aconitifolius, best known -by its double white form, popularly 

 called Bachelor s Buttons ; amplexicaulis, white ; cortusefolius, 

 yellow, makes a splendid greenhouse plant j Ficaria, yellow, and its 

 double form ; Monspeliacus, yellow ; and parnassifolius, white. 



As bulbous, or more correctly tuberous, rooted subjects, the genus 

 Eanunculus appeals to us most by reason of the variety and useful- 

 ness of the florists' forms of Asiaticus. These are wonderfully free 

 flowering, and under favourable conditions, hereinafter particularised, 

 grow about 9 inches high and provide distinct colour effects. The 

 florists divide them into four sections, namely, French, Scottish, 

 Persian, and Turban varieties. The first are the most vigorous 

 growers, but are not so refined nor do they come always so double 

 as the Scottish and Persian sorts.. Turban Ranunculuses are 

 hardier and hwe a better constitution than the two last named, 

 and, though they have a tendency to sport, they are in many ways 

 more useful than the others. 



An ideal soil for these gay old flowers is one composed of 2 parts 

 of good loam and 1 part each of decayed cow manure, leaf soil, and 

 sand j but if this ideal is not realisable there is no need to despair so 

 long as a 2-feet depth of light, rich soil is available. The bed or plot 

 must be dug some time before planting, to allow the soil to settle. 

 October and February are variously stated as the correct time for 

 putting in the c^ueer looking tubers, and both have staunch disciples. 

 We prefer the second month of the year, because autumn planted 

 tubers usually need protection and do not appear to give such 

 superior results as to compensate for the additional trouble taken 

 and risk incurred. At planting time, no matter which month is 

 chosen, draw drills 6 inches apart on the selected site, and 2 inches 

 deep; sprinkle some sand in the drills, and then put in the tubers, 

 claws downward, 4 inches apart. Press them in firmly^ lust cover 

 them with sand, and fill up the drills with light soil. Those who 

 make a hobby of florists' Eanunculuses place an awning over the 



