mixing, be the most likely to produce pleasing varie- 
ties, and then, with a camel-hair pencil, collect pol- 
len from those having stamens, and convey it to 
the stigmas, or points of the carpels, — incipient seed- 
vessels, of those flowers first selected without sta- 
mens. Although these would not have borne seed, 
if left to nature, still a portion of the organs of fruc- 
tification are perfect, which admit of fertilization by 
the means here directed ; and the tendency to pro- 
duce petals, instead of stamens, is continued in the 
offspring. The more perfectly this transformation 
of parts is effected, the more valuable becomes the 
flower to the florist. Those flowers which are to 
be the seed-bearers, will generally be fit to receive 
the pollen on the fourth day after they begin to 
expand. 
Now that the means have been employed, which 
are placed within our power by an all-wise Creator, 
permitting us to assist in carrying out his works of 
wisdom, it must not be forgotten that our Ranuncu- 
luses are in England, and not their native country— 
Asia, therefore they demand our further attention. 
The spike of seed must be protected from the rains 
of our moist climate, or they will be destroyed. An 
examination of the spikes of seed, after rain, will 
show the prejudicial tendency they have to retain 
moisture. 
When the seed begins to turn brown, cut off the 
stems, and place them in an airy situation to dry; 
after which, the seed may be separated from the 
stalks, and stored till required for sowing; an opera- 
tion, the performance of which, we shall, in due 
time, give directions. 
