THE FLORIST. 
79 
ing pansies, pinks, &c. in strong cold winds or frosty nights. 
Shelter is afforded, with plenty of air ; light also combined with 
shade. 
Islevmrth. Edward Beck. 
REMINISCENCES, BY DR. HORNER. 
A HINT TO RANUNCULUS-GROWERS. 
It is recommended by some of the best cultivators of the Ranun¬ 
culus, that its seeds be sown in the first week of January; but I am 
satisfied, by frequent experiment, that this is an error ; the latter 
end of March is the “ time to sow.” This is the period at which 
the roots that were planted at the only proper time, the middle of 
February, begin to shew their growth above ground; and it is not a 
fanciful or unphilosophical theory to suppose that “ the seeds after 
their kind” should, at the same time, feel in an exalted degree the 
nature that stirs within them, and their vital principle be certainly 
excited to speedy germination. 
Assuredly, the seeds vegetate in a comparatively much less time 
when sown at the end of March than in the beginning of January; 
and herein, maybe, rests the point of success. For thus the smaller 
and weaker seeds, which generally produce the best flowers, as being 
the produce of the most double ones, are less liable to all the con¬ 
tingencies and sources of failure to which a long sojourn beneath 
the soil in the seed-box exposes them; for it is essential to complete 
success that the surface-soil, by which they are so lightly covered, 
should ever be kept in an equable state, viz. as to moisture and other 
external circumstances. This, through the severe month of January, 
and part of February, it would require much care to effect, or rather, 
would be impossible of accomplishment, without putting the seed- 
boxes under cover, which is decidedly an improper state for them. 
Under all circumstances, they should be exposed, near a wall, to all 
the skyey influences of air and rain; and all such appliances as bottom- 
heat, cold frames, or greenhouses, should be eschewed. Doubtless, 
more careful cultivators, who recommend January, are successful in 
practice; but I hesitate not to say, only to a degree. Even they, 
and all others, will be infinitely more so, if they adopt the time I 
have recommended. 
The seed may be sown in boxes, a foot and a half or two feet 
square, and eight inches deep, that the soil may retain its moisture, 
and afford sufficient depth for the roots. The top two inches should 
simply consist of equal parts of finely-sifted mould and heath-soil. 
I have found the effects of the heath-soil to be most kindly, it being 
light yet close, and retentive of moisture ; a condition highly favour¬ 
able for the expansion and growth of the tuberous roots. Press this 
top two inches of soil moderately, and as even and smooth as possible, 
with a flat board, and then sow the seeds so thickly that they just 
cover or hide it out of sight. Next, by means of a very fine sieve. 
