PYRETHR UMS AND RANUNCULUS. 



00 



Selection of Pyrethrtjms (continued). 



Diana, rose and yellow. 

 Empress Queen, blush. 

 Figaro, rose-lake. 

 Florentine, blush. 

 J. N. Twerdy, maroon and yellow. 

 King Oscar, crimson- scarlet. 

 Lord Rosebery, scarlet. 

 Leonard Kelway, rose. 



Magician, pink, tipped yellow. 

 Mdlle. Benary, blush white. 

 Melton., crimson-scarlet. 

 Meteor, crimson, white tips. 

 Pericles, peach and gold. 

 Princesse de Metternich, white. 

 Queen Sophia, flesh. 

 Wega, yellowish pink. 



Agnes Mary Kelway, rose. 

 Albert Victor, crimson. 

 Beatrice Kelway, cherry-rose. 

 Decoy, crimson purple. 

 Empress of India, pure white. 

 James Kelway, scarlet. 

 Jubilee, velvety crimson. 



Single Varieties. 



Lorna Doone, crimson. 



Merry Hampton, crimson. 



Prince of Wale's, maroon. 



Princess Marie, white. 



Ruth, rose and white, new form. 



Sunbeam, rose. 



Tempete, blush white. 



THE RANUNCULUS 



The Banunculus, as a florists' flower in its highest form, has fallen into unmerited 

 neglect. The more refined English and Scotch varieties of the Persian ranunculus, at 

 one time so much admired, are now seldom seen, the larger and coarser French 

 varieties being more extensively cultivated. The showier French sorts are perhaps more 

 effective, but lack the refinement and perfect form which characterise the others, now so 

 seldom seen, but so frequently figured in the horticultural books about fifty or sixty 

 years ago, and grown in thousands long before. Some of Tyso's ranunculuses were 

 lovely flowers, and it is to be hoped that a revival of interest in these plants may take 

 place, to the enrichment of our gardens. The flowers (Fig. 51) are grown largely for 

 sale in markets. The original species (E. asiaticus) is a native of the Levant, and it, 

 or its varieties, were cultivated in English gardens more than three hundred years ago. 



The ranunculus is a tuberous-rooted plant, the roots and crown being in general 

 appearance not unlike a very miniature dahlia tuber. The flowers of the original 

 species are single, but in cultivation double and semi-double forms of many colours are 

 produced— the double ones being those desired by the florist. There are two distinct 

 forms — the Turban and the Persian, the former having less refined flowers, a coarser 

 habit, and larger leaves. The range of colouring is also less varied, there being white, 

 yellow, scarlet, carmine, and deep brown varieties. It has, however, the advantage of 

 being a little hardier, and is well suited for bedding purposes. 



o 2 



