==Ornithogalum==

==Star of Bethlehem==

During the month of June =O. arabicum= produces heads of pure white fragrant flowers, each having a green centre.  The roots are large and fleshy, and should be planted in the autumn six inches deep.  A sheltered position, such as under a south wall, is desirable for them, and some protection in the form of dry litter, or a heap of light manure, will be necessary to carry the roots safely through severe winter weather.  The bulbs are frequently potted for indoor decoration.  Another variety, =O. umbellatum=, with pure white starry flowers, makes an attractive show in May, and is valuable for naturalising in clumps or masses in the border.

==Oxalis==

These frame plants are suitable for the cool greenhouse or for forcing, and they are adapted also for the open border in peculiarly favourable districts.  They are particularly neat and cheerful, flowering abundantly, and requiring only the most ordinary treatment of frame plants.  In winter they should be kept dry.  The 48-sized pot is suitable, and about five bulbs may be planted in each, using light soil freely mixed with sand.

==Ranunculus==

To maintain a collection of named Ranunculuses demands skill and patience, but a few of the most brilliant self-coloured, spotted and striped varieties may be easily grown, if a cool, deep, rich, moist soil can be provided for them.  The best soil for the Ranunculus is a loam or clay in which the common field Buttercup grows freely and plentifully.  The situation should be open, the bed well pulverised, and the soil effectively drained, both to promote a vigorous growth and, as far as possible, to save the plants from injury by wireworms, leather-jackets, and other ground vermin.  Elaborate modes of manuring, such as mixing several sorts of manure together in mystical proportions, are altogether unnecessary, but a good dressing of rotten manure and leaf-mould should be dug in before planting, and if the soil is particularly heavy, sharp sand must be added.  The roots may be planted in November and December in gardens where vegetation does not usually suffer from damp in winter; but where there is any reason to apprehend danger from damp, the planting should be deferred until February, and should be completed within the first twenty days of that month, if weather permit.  Prepare a fine surface to plant on, and draw drills six inches apart and two inches deep, and place the tubers, claws downwards, in the drills, four inches apart, covering them with sifted soil before drawing the earth back to the drill.  Rake the bed smooth, and the planting is completed.  To keep free from weeds, and to give plentiful supplies of water in dry weather, are the two principal features of the summer cultivation.  When the flowers are past, and the leaves begin to fade, take up the roots, dry them in a cool place, and store in peat or cocoa-nut fibre.