150 FLORA HISTORICA. 



nourishment the stem affords, and to enjoy the 

 light and air uninterrupted. 



■ Florists who are careful of their choice Tulips, 

 erect frames with awnings over their beds, as by 

 this means they are sheltered from tempestuous 

 weather, and also from the too great heat of the 

 mid-day ; by this precaution, the ripening of the 

 pollen is retarded, and consequently the corolla 

 retains its beauty for a greater length of time, ex- 

 cessive heat frequently causing the colours to run 

 and intermix, so as to destroy the elegance and 

 beauty of the flower. 



The Dutch florists treat their Tulips in a similar 

 manner to what has already been observed of the 

 Hyacinth, respecting the mode of planting and the 

 nature of the soil, excepting that the Tulip is placed 

 in the more tenacious soil of the two. 



Hogg recommends a fresh, rich, loamy soil, of 

 rather a sandy nature, which should be dug at 

 least twelve months before it is used, and to which 

 a small portion of well-rotted dung should be 

 added. He tells us, that an intelligent old Tulip- 

 grower assured him that the best compost he had 

 ever mixed for these bulbs (C was three-fourths rich 

 yellow loam; one-fourth leaf-mould ; one-sixth two 

 years' old horse-dung ; and one-eighth sea-sand, 

 well incorporated, and laid in a bed or stratum for 

 the plants, two feet deep," 



