1G2 
THE FLORISTS JOURNAL. 
any where so effectually as in the earth, it also acting as a 
medium for the admission of the sun's ray ; and so by this pro¬ 
cess, the supply of nutriment is gradually dried off. At the 
expiration of a fortnight take them out of the earth, observing 
most particularly to pick out any that may be rotten ; lay them 
on shelves in a shaded place to dry, and when thoroughly dry, cut 
off the whole of the dry rootlets, clean them and put them away 
in a dry place : they may then be left with safety till wanted. 
By this method, the plants will retain their utmost vigour for 
many years, always changing the soil or situation at each planting. 
The offsets should be planted by themselves, and with the same 
treatment they will flower the second season. 
The number sticks may be managed as directed in our article on 
the Ranunculus. 
In a future number I shall have great pleasure, if acceptable to 
the readers of the Florist’s Journal, in giving some account of the 
method of forcing this most beautiful flower. 
THE WEATHER FOR SEPTEMBER. 
The general characters of the weather for this month, at least within the 
scope of our observation, have continued to bear out that opinion which we 
have stated ever since the commencement of our labours, with regard to the 
effect of the prolonged rains of the preceding season upon the subsoil of the 
ground. The surface action has all along been considerable, and perhaps more 
so than if a less humid state of the bottom of the soil had enabled the general 
action to be greater. This humidity has prevented the heat from penetrating 
deeply into the ground ; and, consequently, the nocturnal radiation has been 
less than the average. The result of this has been a nearer approximation to 
the point of saturation with moisture in the lower stratum of the air, after the 
direct influence of the sun had ceased for the day. This approach to saturation 
in the night air was of course greater upon low grounds, and grounds which 
were warmer during the day, than upon such as were more upland and exposed. 
In consequence of this, when, after the rains on the 13th, 14th, and loth, 
north winds, with dry and warm days, set in on the 16th and 17th, the evenings 
of those days, or rather the early mornings after them, produced hoar frost. 
Upon the dry heights, with gravelly bottoms, in the neighbourhood of the 
metropolis, those hoar frosts were barety perceptible, and produced no apparent 
effect except upon a few of the most tender of the exposed plants ; but, in low- 
situations, and more especially in those near the river, or other considerable 
expanses of water, the leaves of dahlias, potatoes, and several other plants, 
were blackened, and some were entirely destroyed, at least in the above-ground 
portion. So marked has the difference been between what is considered as the 
