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BEAUTIFUL GARDEN FLOWERS. 
covered with whitish silky hairs, and yellow blossoms. 
Both kinds are typical rock plants and flourish in 
sandy peat, loam, and leaf soil. If planted so that the 
roots penetrate between the rocks, the leaves form 
rosettes on the vertical face, and the flower stems 
stand out more or less horizontally. The plants are 
increased by careful division about August, the side 
shoots being planted in sandy peat and loam, and 
kept shaded and moist in a frame until established. 
Strong healthy leaves cut off right at the base and 
inserted in a similar compost and kept moist and 
shaded, also often develop into plants. Seeds when 
thoroughly ripe may be sown in cold frames or in 
spring. R. Natalie is similar to P. jiyrenaica. 
RANUN CULUS ( Crowfoot ; B nttercup) . — F ew Butter- 
cups are of garden value, those mentioned here being 
the best. R. aconitifolius, with lobed and toothed 
leaves, and white flowers in May and June, grows 
about 2 feet high. It is eclipsed in beauty, however, 
by its double flowered variety (flore pleno), popularly 
known as “ Fair Maids of France,” the pure white 
blossoms resembling miniature Camellias in shape. It 
flourishes in moist soil and partially shaded spots, but 
the foliage is sometimes attacked with a maggot. The 
double-flowered form of the common Buttercup (R. 
acris flore plena), called “ Bachelor’s Buttons,” and 
“ Gold Knots,” is a pretty border plant with rosettes 
of glistening yellow blossoms from April to September. 
Somewhat similar is the double form of the common 
Bulbous Buttercup (P. bulbosusfl.pl.) with its bright 
yellow flowers. R. alpestris, R. amplexicaulis, and 
R. parnassidefolius, are pretty little rock plants having 
pure white flowers. 
