8 z RANUNCULUSES. 
coloured, when their properties anfwer 
the foregoing defcription. 
The feed fhould remain on the plant 
till it has loft its verdure, and becomes 
brown and dry, it may then be cut off, 
and fpread abroad upon paper, in a dry 
room, expofed to the fun, that every 
degree of humidity may be exhaled from 
it; in which ftate it fhould be put into 
a bag, and preferved in a warm dry 
room, or clofet, till the time of fowing, 
otherwife it will be in danger of contraCt- 
ing a dampnefs, which will foon produce a 
mouldinefs, that will infallibly deftroy it. 
January is the proper time to fow the 
feed, and in order to prepare it, it muft 
be feparated from the ftalks to which it is 
conne6ted, in the following manner, viz. 
In the firft place, it fhould be taken out 
of the bag, and fpread thin upon a fheet 
of paper, or tea tray, See. and placed 
before 
