294 THE FLOWER-GARDEN, [chap. vrti. 
the same treatment as the crocus. Chari- 
wood’s, Covent-garden, and Carter’s, Hoi- 
born, are the best places in London for pro- 
curing all kinds of bulbs and corms. 
The Ranunculus. — M. Triquet de Blanc, 
who had the kindness to send me directions 
for the culture of the carnation, has given 
me the following directions for the culture 
of the ranunculus :—“ In November spread 
well-rotten cow-dung, or thoroughly-decayed 
leaves, four or five inches thick over the 
beds which are to be devoted to the ranun¬ 
culus, and dig it into the ground about four 
inches deep, digging the bed over several 
times, so as to mix it well with the soih 
The surface of the bed is then raked smooth, 
and lines, or rather drills, an inch and a half 
deep, are traced on it so as to form squares, 
four inches on the side every way. The 
ground is then left till the beginning of 
February, when the ranunculuses are planted 
four inches apart, just at the point of inter¬ 
section of the lines, and thev are covered 
about an inch and a half deep (rather less 
than more) with the compost described 
above, or with fine warden mould. The 
