84 
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 down¬ 
wards) 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 be¬ 
come 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. 
