THE RANUNCULUS— PROPAGATION. 



101 



Should the weather be favourable the plants will appear early in April, and the 

 soil must be pressed gently, yet firmly, about them, so that they may not suffer by 

 its being too loose. In dry weather, in April and May, it is often necessary to 

 give the plants water ; but a very experienced grower recommends that this be 

 sparingly done, advising in preference mulching with moss, old tanners' bark, or 

 similar material, and only watering occasionally in the evening between the rows. 

 While the flower buds are opening, and when in full bloom, the bed may be protected 

 from sun and rain by an awning, and watered gently, but regularly, every second or 

 third night. 



An advantage possessed by covering the beds is that the tubers may be dried off, so 

 as to be at rest when they are lifted. Whenever the leaves and stalks become yellow 

 the roots ought to be taken up, and this should be done before they have time to send out 

 fresh root-fibres. When the tubers are lifted, they should be placed in a dry and airy 

 place, and kept either in paper bags or in drawers provided for the purpose. A look- 

 out must be kept for mould. 



The ranunculus is propagated by division of the tubers, or by seeds. The first 

 operation is so simple that directions are hardly necessary. After lifting the tubers, 

 separate the offsets before they become hard and dry. To secure double ranunculuses 

 the seeds ought always to be saved from the semi-double flowers, the best-formed 

 blooms being selected to produce the seeds. Sow these either in February or September 

 or October in sandy loam and leaf mould, in pans, covering slightly with fine soil. 

 Water gently, and keep the pans in a cold frame till the seedlings appear. Allow them 

 to remain in the pans, but give plenty of air, and about the middle of May plunge the 

 pans in some place in the open receiving the morning sun. When the leaves are 

 yellow withhold water, and lift the roots, treating them as recommended for old tubers, 

 and re-plant at the proper season. They should flower in the second or third year 

 from the time of sowing. 



The raising of seedlings is recommended to those who wish flowers of the highest 

 quality, and perfectly double. Named ranunculuses of the Persian section are seldom 

 offered in catalogues, except in collections. Mixtures procured from a reliable 

 firm are usually of good quality, and by the careful weeding out of inferior flowers 

 may give satisfaction. The following selections are of good quality, and have been 

 offered recently. 



