20 
THE LADIES' FLOWER-GARDEN 
loose straw or mats ; but the covering should be removed as soon as the leaves begin to appear, as if it be 
continued too long, the tuber will become mouldy and the plants will damp off. "When tho plants begin to grow, 
gardeners generally tread the earth between the rows, and press it round the root, which may have partially 
risen out of the ground, as this is frequently the case. If the weather should be dry in April and May, the 
plants should be regularly watered during those months ; as if they are suflFered to become too dry after they have 
come up, the foliage will turn yellow, and the flowers will appear stunted : and if the weather should be very 
hot in May, they may be shaded from the sun during the heat of the day. This shading may be advantageously 
continued when the plants are in flower, particularly for the darker kinds, which are most injured by being exposed 
to the rays of the sun. The flowers appear in May and June, and by the end of the latter month they will have 
disappeared, the foliage will have turned yellow, and then brown j and when this is the case, the stems should be 
cut off and the roots taken up and laid on one side in an airy room to dry gradually. 
When it is wished to raise new varieties from seed, some plants with semi-double flowers should be set aside 
for that purpose, as the flowers that are quite double have, of course, neither stamens nor pistils to produce seed. 
No plants should be suffered to form seed-buds but those the seed of which is wanted, as those roots v/hich have 
ripened seed never produce such fine flowers afterwards as they did before. The seeds should bs sown in August, 
in pots or boxes, and kept under shelter during winter. 
2.— RANUNCULUS ACONTIFOLIUS Lin. THE PALMATE-LEAVED RANUNCULUS. 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag. t. 204 j and our Jig. 5, in Plate 5 ; both 
of the double-flowered variety, called the Fair Maid of Frauoc. 
Specific Chakacter. — Leaves palmate, three or five parted. Stem 
branched, many-flowered. Calyx smooth. 
Synonvme. — R. platanifolius Lin. ; White Bachelor's Buttons ; 
Fair Maid of France. 
Varieties. — These are very numerous, but the most interesting is 
that ivith small very double flowers, called the Fair Maid of France, 
or White Bachelor's Buttons. 
Description, &c. — This plant varies very much in different situations. The species is rarely seen in English 
gardens ; but the variety called the Fair Maid of France, is one of the most common of our border flowers. It is 
quite hardy, and it will grow in any soil and situation, but it flourishes most under trees, where the ground is rather 
moist than otherwise, though it will not bear the London smoke. From its tall branching stem, the abundance 
of its flowers, and its large deeply cut leaves, it is very ornamental and well deserving of cultivation, wherever 
the air is sufficiently pure to suit it. It is a native of middle Europe, particularly Germany, the north of Italy, 
and Switzerland ; and it was introduced before 1596. When grown in too dry a soil, this plant is frequently 
attacked by an insect which destroys the leaves. 
3.— RANUNCULUS ACRIS Lin. THE ACRID CROWFOOT, OR COMMON BUTTERCUP. 
215 ; and our fig. 4, in Plate 5, of the double-flowered variety, called 
the Yellow Baclielor's Buttons. 
Specific Character. — Lower leaves three-parted, segments trifld, 
jatrged ; segments of the upper leaves linear, entire. Stem cylindrical, 
erect, branched, many-flowered, covered with adpressed hairs. Carpels 
foi-ming a round head. 
Synonymes. — King Cup ; Yellow Bachelor's Buttons ; Upright 
Meadow Crowfoot. 
Varieties. — Of these there are several, hut the only one deser/ing of 
cultivation is the double-flowered kind, called the Yellow Bachelor's 
Buttons. 
Engravings. — Eng. Bot. t. 652 ; 2nd edit. t. 789 ; Bot. Mag. t. 
Description, &c. — If the buttercup were not a common weed, it would be thought a beautiful flower, from 
the golden hue of its glossy petals, and its very handsome leaves ; and as the double-flowered variety is only 
found in gardens, and thus has no prejudices to contend with, it receives the admiration which would be bestowed 
on its progenitor, if it were equally rare. It is quite hardy, and will grow in any soil and situation where it is 
