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THE FLORIST. 
being more liable to disturbance, accidents, or loss. A scale of 
the bed must, of course, be made and registered. The making 
of two copies will commend itself to the judgment of the prudent, 
as the loss of one, when the only one, has often been the source 
of irremediable and protracted annoyance to the connoisseur. 
Ranunculus roots (or, more properly, tubers,) may be planted 
in drills, one inch and a half in depth, drawn longitudinally in 
the bed for mixtures, and transversely for named varieties. The 
rows should be arranged to allow the tubers to be about five 
inches asunder each way, or six inches by five may be preferable, 
as an increase of width from row to row one way of the bed, 
either transversely or from end to end, will have the advantage 
of room for applying a top-dressing or water in subsequent stages 
of culture. The tubers should be placed rather firmly (claws 
downwards) in the soil; and a knowledge of this fact has led 
to the origination of many contrivances in the shape of dibbles ; 
but drilling possesses some advantages over dibbling, as, with 
proper attention, the required firmness of compost around the 
roots may be obtained, and greater facility be afforded in a drill 
for placing the tubers correctly, and without danger of injuring 
or fracturing the claws. After depositing the tubers, rake the 
beds quite level; and if drying winds prevail, so that the fine 
surface become very dry, a gentle pressure of the soil will be 
useful. 
Prepare a compost for future top-dressing. Good loam, the 
top-spit of a fat pasture, and decayed stable-manure, or, if the 
soil be light, old cow-dung, in equal parts, will be suitable for 
the purpose. Tyso and Son. 
Wallingford, 
Roses in Pots, if intended to bloom in June, should be pruned the 
first or second week in this month. • J. Dobson. 
Tulips. —The surface of the beds should be carefully stirred ; the 
soil should never be allowed to become crusted on the top. A 
net drawn over the entire bed, and tied to the hoops, is of great 
advantage ; it answers two or three purposes, viz. keeps off cats, 
breaks the force of the wind, protects the foliage from injury by 
hail-storms, and helps to preserve from frosts during the night. 
Great care should now be observed lest the infant bud be damaged, 
as most assuredly it will, if the rain be allowed to stagnate at 
the base of the bractse, and become frozen ; a withered and 
imperfect bloom will inevitably be the result. Some amateurs 
adopt the mode of gently separating the foliage with the hand, 
and thus letting the water drain out; a good plan, but requires 
a little care. J. Hunt. 
High Wycombe. 
Levey, Robson, and Franklyn, Great New Street, Fetter Lane. 
