HARDY BULBS AND TUBERS. 
281 
with in the perennial section. The various kinds grown in 
gardens under the names of Turban, Persian, Scotch, Dutch, 
Italian and French Ranunculi are forms of R. asiaticus, a 
European or Asiatic species. They have claw-like roots or 
tubers, and bear single, double or semi-double flowers of 
various colours in early summer. The Turban kinds are large, 
double, rose-like and self-coloured, the chief colours being 
yellow, crimson, orange, rose, scarlet, and white. The French 
and Italian strain yield larger flowers and have a more robust 
habit. The Persian kinds have finely formed double flowers, 
are very compact in growth, and their colours very rich and 
striking. The Scotch and Dutch forms are merely dwarfer 
varieties of the latter with edged or spotted double flowers. 
The Turban type is the hardiest. They require a light, rich 
and fairly moist soil. The beds in which they are to be grown 
should be deeply dug and have plenty of rotten cow dung and 
leaf-mould mixed with the soil. A partially shady position 
suits them best. Planting may be done in the case of the 
Turban kinds in October or February ; in that of the Persian 
type from February to April. Draw drills 2in. deep and 4in. 
apart and plant the roots, claw-side downwards, 3m. apart, in 
the drills, then cover with soil. During dry weather in spring 
and early summer give copious waterings to the soil. When 
the flower buds begin to show sprinkle a little artificial manure 
between the plants and water it in. If the soil be very light 
apply a mulch of rotten manure to the bed. As soon as the 
leaves fade lift the roots, dry and store them away in a cool 
place till planting time. Increased by seeds sown in light soil 
in a cold frame in August, growing the seedlings on in beds 
till they flower four years afterwards. Also increased by offsets 
of the old roots. 
Scilla, (Squill or Bluebell). — Very pretty spring-flowering 
bulbs, belonging to the Lily order (Liliaceae). The Common 
Bluebell of our woodlands, S. festalis (Syn. Hyacinthus non- 
scriptus) is a well-known native species, bearing blue and 
occasionally white or pink blossoms in May and June. Of 
this there are several good varieties, as alba, white ; rosea, 
rosy-red ; rubra, deep red ; and cernua, bright blue. Another 
well-known species is the Squill (S. siberica). This species 
bears lovely porcelain-blue flowers on graceful spikes in 
February and March. Alba is a white-flowered variety of it. 
Both are charming kinds for naturalising in grass or growing 
in beds and borders. Then another fairly well-known species 
is the Spanish Bluebell (S. hispanica). This, known as S. 
campanulata, soon grows into compact tufts of grassy foliage, 
from which issue numerous spike of porcelain-blue flowers in 
May. Alba, white, and Carnea, pale rose, are two pretty 
