NOVEMBER. 
253 
would appear it is the invariable rule to obtain them in bulk, before they 
are sent out .—(.Abridged from the Gardeners' Chronicle.) 
Quo. 
ON THE CULTURE OF THE RANUNCULUS. 
The garden Ranunculus was brought originally from the Levant. It 
has been greatly improved by cultivation, and the varieties are now very 
numerous and extremely beautiful. Indeed, it is scarcely possible to con¬ 
ceive anything more striking or brilliant than a fine bed of Ranunculuses 
in full flower. As the time for planting is approaching, a few remarks on 
their culture may not be altogether unseasonable. The following are the 
chief points to be attended to:—1, Soil for the Beds; 2, Depth of Soil; 
3, Situation of Beds ; 4, Planting the Roots ; 5, Future Culture ; 6, Shading ; 
7, Taking up the Roots. 
1. Soil for the Beds. —The best soil may be composed in this manner :— 
Take a quantity of fresh earth from a rich pasture, about 6 inches deep, 
and lay it in a heap to rot for twelve months before it is mixed, turning it 
occasionally to sweeten it and break the clods; to this should be added a 
fourth part of rotten cowdung, and a proportionable quantity of river 
sand. The whole should be well mixed up together. 
2. Depth of Soil. —The soil in the beds should be at least 2 feet deep, and 
should not be raised more than 2 inches above the surrounding surface. It 
should be rather dry when put into the beds, and should not be pressed, 
but left to settle. Slate or stone should be used for edgings to the beds, in 
preference to Box, as they do not harbour slugs, 
3. Situation of Beds. —These should be on a dead level at the lowest 
part of the garden. It will also be an advantage if they are not exposed 
to the midday sun. A high or elevated dry situation must be avoided. 
4. Planting the Pioots. —The roots may be planted any time from the 
beginning of November to the middle of February. If the soil and 
situation be cold and wet it will be better to defer planting until the end of 
January or beginning of February, as the weather may favour; but in 
favourable situations November is to be preferred, as the roots will have 
more time to vegetate and form themselves, and will in consequence bloom 
rather stronger, though only a few days earlier than those later planted. 
The surface of the beds should be raked perfectly level, and the roots 
planted in rows 6 inches apart, and about 2 inches deep, keeping the crown 
upward. A little coarse sand should be placed over every root, and ^he 
surface should then be made level. 
5. Future Culture. —When the roots are planted in November nothing 
further will be needed until severe frosts are expected; then the beds should 
be covered to the depth of 3 or 4 inches with tan, decayed leaves, or other 
material to keep out the frosts. This covering should be removed as soon 
as all danger from severe frost is past. Early in spring, when the plants 
make their appearance above ground, so as to render the rows easily dis¬ 
cernible, the surface of the earth between the rows should be trodden care¬ 
fully, so as to make it firm and compact; and the soil around the plants 
should be compressed with the fingers. Some fresh soil should then be 
put between the rows about an inch or so in depth; this will keep the soil 
moist and cool. If these matters are properly attended to no watering 
will be necessary. The surface of the soil should be stirred a little between 
