110 
ON THE RANUNCULUS. 
BY R. P. T. 
The genus Ranunculus, considered botanically, contains nearly 
fifty species, sixteen of which are natives of Britain, yet only one 
or two are cultivated as border-flowers. R. bulbosus is the 
buttercup of our meadows, though R. repens, hirsutus, and acris, 
are all commonly confounded under this name ; it is also the 
“ cuckoo-buds of yellow hue” of Shakspeare. The rest are nearly 
all noxious weeds, possessing a deal of acrid matter, some of them 
extremely virulent. 
R. Asiaticus, the subject of the present paper, is the Ranun¬ 
culus of our gardens, and a more beautiful object is not easily 
conceived. Of this species there are upwards of 1,500 varieties 
known to florists, who divide them into two kinds,—the Dutch, or 
original kind, and the Scotch, or improved kind. Of these two 
the Scotch are generally considered the most desirable, being 
more constant bloomers, and more delicate in point of colouring: 
for these we are mainly indebted to Mr. Lightbody, of Falkirk, 
who is a most successful cultivator. 
The cultivation of Ranunculi is by many considered difficult. 
This is an erroneous idea, as may be proved by the many and, in 
some instances, very splendid exhibitions in the country, and the 
numerous seedlings that are yearly added to the already nearly 
endless list of varieties. The management may be placed under 
the following heads :— first, choice of roots ; second, time and 
manner of planting ; third, subsequent treatment. 
Now with respect to the choice of roots intended for a show- 
bed or flower-garden, a good strong root, the tubers of which are 
firm and large, the crown prominent and downy, without any 
appearance of mildew, is the best, always rejecting those which 
look like old sticks; on this much depends, for if bad roots are 
planted, it is not reasonable to expect good flowers. Secondly, 
time and manner of planting. There is some difference of opinion 
among growers as to the best time of planting. Some affirm that 
roots planted in the autumn grow stronger and bloom earlier; 
but there is great danger of the roots perishing through frost or 
