To secure an immediate display of Ranunculuses it is necessary to plant mature roots.  The soil in which they especially thrive is an adhesive loam or clay.  This happens to be unfavourable to their safety in the winter, and therefore it is wise to defer planting in such soils until this month.  A very simple procedure will suffice to produce handsome, richly coloured flowers.  If possible, choose for the bed a heavy soil in an open situation, and dress it liberally with decayed manure.  Give the land a deep digging, and lay it up rough, that it may be benefited by frosts.  In January and February fork it lightly over several times, with the double purpose of making it mellow and of enabling birds to clear it of vermin.  Traps made of hollowed Potatoes will also assist the latter object.  Not later than the third week of February the roots should be planted in drills drawn six inches apart and two inches deep.  Put them at intervals of four inches in the rows, with the claws downwards, and cover with fine soil.  Keep the bed free from weeds, and give abundant supplies of water in dry weather.  When the foliage is dead, lift the roots and store for the next season.

The Turban Ranunculus is less delicate than the named varieties, and there need be less hesitation about autumn planting.

==Ricinus.==—­The Castor-oil Plant is largely cultivated for its striking ornamental foliage, and under generous treatment it will attain from four to six feet in height.  It is a half-hardy annual, and should be grown in the same manner as Nicotiana.

==Salpiglossis== merits its increasing popularity.  A sowing at the end of this month or the beginning of March will insure plants in condition for the open ground in May.  A moderate hot-bed is requisite now, but in April the seed may be sown on prepared borders for a summer display of the veined and pencilled flowers.

==Solanum==.—­The varieties which are grown for winter decoration are much prized when laden with their bright-coloured berries.  Sow the several kinds in heat, and transfer the seedlings straight to single pots filled with very rich soil.

==Stock, Intermediate==.—­To form a succession to the Summer-flowering, or Ten-week, varieties in July and August, seed of the Intermediate Stocks should be sown in gentle heat during February or March.  The treatment accorded to Ten-week Stocks, described on page 379, will suit the Intermediate varieties also.

==Sweet Peas== have in recent years become such an important ornament to the garden and the flowers are so highly prized for household use that no effort is spared to insure a long-continued display.  With this object in view seeds are sown in pots and the seedlings transplanted, as soon as weather permits, to the ground specially prepared in the preceding autumn.  Those who did not sow in September should do so in the latter part of January or during February.  A forcing temperature is injurious, and the plants thrive best when given practically hardy treatment.