THE ORCHIDACE^E, AND THEIR CULTURE. 135 
with an awning. This is little more expense than tin shades, and 
affords a far greater facility of viewing the flowers as they stand, 
besides the additional benefit conferred on the plants by keeping 
the whole bed constantly shaded ; in fact, an awning is now con¬ 
sidered as necessary where florists’ flowers are grown as a spade 
or rake. Nor can I conceive a greater treat to an admirer of 
floriculture, than a visit to a ranunculus bed judiciously arranged, 
and so shaded. As soon as the bloom begins to decay the plants 
must be narrowly watched, and the first symptoms of decreasing 
energy taken advantage of, for if left only a week beyond the 
proper time they begin growing again, and frequently spoil. 
This is the most particular thing to be observed in the whole 
course of cultivation ; the proper time is immediately the foliage 
will pull off without lifting the root. It will often be found 
necessary to take up one sort and leave the next to it, so quickly 
do they recommence growing : the Dutch are usually dry first. 
When taken up, a little of the earth should be rubbed off so as 
not to break the points of the tubers ; the roots should be laid on 
shelves in a shed or some shaded place, for a fortnight or so; then 
choose a bright sunny day to finish them off. To do this, spread 
them upon a mat in the sun for an hour or two ; this will render 
them firm and easy to clean, which done, they may be either re¬ 
turned to the shelves or put into bags till the planting season 
arrives. They will require to be looked over now and then ; and 
if they have any appearance of mildew about them, bring them out 
into the sun again or into a warm room till they are thoroughly 
dry. 
This then is all that is required to perfect one of the most 
beautiful of Nature’s productions. Before concluding I will ven¬ 
ture a word on raising the ranunculus from seed : that which I 
believe to be the best method is to raise them on a very slight 
hot-bed, about two feet deep. In the latter end of February place 
a shallow one-light box, fill it up to within four inches of the top 
with very light rich earth ; sow the seed pretty thick without 
covering it ; place the light on, and keep it constantly shaded 
with a double mat till the plants appear, then sprinkle a little fine 
earth over them ; repeat this as the plants grow, and as they get 
strength, inure them by degrees to the weather till they are able 
to stanid without any protection; when taken up they must be 
dried very gradually, or they will shrivel. R. P. 
