THE FLORIST. 
141 
loam (as in this neighbourhood) is too adhesive, and requires a con¬ 
siderable admixture of sand to moderate its stiffness ; yet a light, 
sandy soil is wholly unfit. 
I am anxious now, however, to make known a different method 
of preparing the bed, and one that I have found to be still more effi¬ 
cacious and satisfactory in its results ; though the description may 
appear tedious, from a wish to be thoroughly understood, the actual 
labour is really very inconsiderable. 
As soon as my Tulips are taken up (for, from want of free ac¬ 
commodation, I have the bed so arranged as to serve the purpose of 
growing Tulips and Ranunculuses alternately), the soil is thoroughly 
dug over, and so left for some days. The surface being made even, 
it is then covered two-and-a half inches thick with perfectly fresh cow 
manure from the cowshed, and which is smoothed down with the 
spade, and allowed to remain thus exposed to the sun and rain till 
September. By this time it will be found to be lessened in quan¬ 
tity, from the percolation and washing into the soil of the more 
soluble or fluid portions, as well as from the process of decomposi¬ 
tion it has undergone. 
It is now thoroughly and minutely chopped, or broken up with 
the edge of a sharp spade, or other instrument, and again left till 
October. At this period it is dug in, and well mixed with the top 
six or eight inches only of soil; that beneath being on no account 
disturbed, in order that it may retain its requisite firmness or soli¬ 
dity. It is once more turned roughly over in December, that it may 
be thoroughly acted on by the frost; and at the end of January, the 
surface is finally made even, and at the same time moderately com¬ 
pressed with the rake. As, whether this or any other method be 
adopted, it is highly beneficial that the top three inches of soil, in 
which the roots are set, and have to form their tubers, should not be 
too compact, I now cover the bed with about half an inch of sand, 
and by a free action with the teeth of the rake, thoroughly mix it 
with the surface soil, and leaving it perfectly smooth and even, plant 
the Ranunculuses in the course of a week or ten days following. 
St. Valentine should be constituted the patron saint of Ranunculus 
planting. The operation should on no account be deferred beyond 
the 14th of February. It is impossible to express too strongly the 
importance of early planting. 
The method of planting the roots is of much consideration, as 
error in its performance is a very common cause of failure in respect 
to their flowering. It is the worst of practices first to plant them 
(after the manner of Tulips), and then to cover them the requisite 
depth with soil. Nor do I recommend the setting of them in drills, 
as some excellent cultivators are wont to do ; and especially if a light 
and different soil is placed in the drills in which the roots are to be 
set, and with which the drill is afterwards to be filled up. The soil 
should be uniform in texture, or mechanical properties, that the 
effects of general agents, viz. of rain, sun, drying winds, &c. be at 
least uniform. Dibbling the roots is the best, and is as far preferable 
to any other method, as is the dibbling of beans superior to drill sow- 
