394 THE PLEASURE, OR [May. 
colours, or the usual height and growth of the plants. About five or 
six weeks after the bulbs are taken up and properly dried, it is pro- 
per to take otf their loose skins, fibres, and oftsets; the last brown 
skin which is so intimately connected with the root, ought to be 
left on; after which they should be preserved, in dry sand, barley 
chaff, saw-dust, or rolled up in separate papers, till the time of 
planting, for the action of the air during our warm summers and 
autumns would greatly weaken and injure them, by drying up part 
of their juices. 
The smallest and weakest oftsets, particularly such as are not 
provided with a brown skin, ought to be replanted as soon as they 
are taken up, about an inch and a half deep, in a fresh sandy loam, 
and in a dry situation; or instead of replanting these offsets so early, 
they may be preserved from the drying influence of the air by 
burying them in dry sand till October, when they are to be planted 
as already mentioned. 
Common tulips, planted in the borders of the pleasure-ground, &c. 
need not be taken up oftener than once in two or three years, to 
separate the oftsets, and replant the bulbs in fresh earth. 
Ranunculuses. 
The weather in this month is generally very clear and hot; the 
ranuncluses ought to be shaded at such times from the mid-day 
sun, by means of lofty hoops and mats, or by some better contri- 
vance, that will admit light and air freely; a frame and cover, similar 
to that directed for hyacinths in page 341, would answer best, if 
expense and trouble were not to be considered: it will, however, 
be absolutely necessary to shade them, in some manner, during 
the period of bloom, otherwise they will continue but a short time, 
especially the dark rich coloured sorts; for, in proportion as their 
colours approach to black, is the injury they will receive from the 
rays of the sun, if it is permitted to shine upon them in full force; 
some of the very darkest cannot stand it a day without being en- 
tirely deprived of their beauty. The light coloured sorts will bear 
the sun's rays much better, reflecting them in proportion as they 
approach to white; green is the only colour that reflects and ab- 
sorbs the rays of light in equal proportion, and consequently, is 
more predominant in the vegetable kingdom than any other. 
During the continuance of the bloom, the earth around the roots 
must be occasionally watered as directed in page 345, but when 
that is over, they will require it but seldom, and not at all should 
gentle showers of rain occur now and then, but shading in the mid- 
dle of hot days will be very beneficial to the plants; it tends to 
prolong their vegetation, and the size and substance of the roots 
are thereby increased. For their further treatment, see i\vQ Flower 
Garden in June. 
A Description of the Properties of a Fine Double Ranunculus. 
The stem should be strong, straight, and from eight to twelve 
