December 20 , 188?. ] 
563 
JG Cl INAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
the soil should be thought too poor, a small addition of decayed 
w ung wdl be a,dvisable; but it must be so decomposed as to 
.appear liie a black powder. Let it be thoroughly mixed with the 
become tolerably dry. Some time about the end of February or 
the first week in March, rake the surface of the bed in the morning 
of the day previous to that fixed upon for planting. Some recommend 
Fig. 63.—RANUNCULUSES. 
soil whilst making the bed, in dry weather, about the month of steeping the roots for twelve hours in water before planting, but 
September. we think this not necessary, except the planting season has been 
“ Planting.— The season for planting is in the early spring, as from some cause or other put off till the middle of April; then it 
soon as the most severe frosts have passed and the ground has j may be useful. Supposing, then, that the weather is propitious, 
