APRIL. 69 



to render this shade impervious to water ; but I would not attempt it, 

 as by so doing I should completely check the free percolation of air 

 through the interstices of the canvass, which I hold to be the great 

 desideratum. I have now discarded nearly every other description of 

 covering. It is true there are one or two obstinate gentlemen, and, I 

 fear me, ladies too, who will not be persuaded to "come out" except 

 in the dark. These must be bloomed under a pot ; but I find, almost 

 invariably, that flowers so bloomed cannot be depended on to travel. 



While on the subject of the Dahlia, let me remark that there 

 appears to exist a great delusion about the necessity of fresh ground 

 for its growth. Now mine have continued to occupy the same 

 quarter for many years — eight or ten at least — and my neighbours 

 tell me I grow them better and better every year, which I believe 

 to be correct. Of course, they get plenty of help in the way of 

 manure, and the soil is thoroughly cultivated.* 



One word respecting our inveterate enemy the earwig, and I 

 have done. Oh, the war that I have waged with this insinuating 

 scamp, and the deep-laid schemes I have devised to entrap and lure 

 him to his ruin ! To annihilate him is next to impossible, for his 

 name is legion ; still I find he may be kept at a respectful distance. 



The Dahlia, for the most part, loves water ; the earwig abhors it. 

 Behold herein an agent of twofold potency ; 1 keep my plants and 

 the ground around them well saturated, and consequently suffer but 

 little from the ravages of this detestable pest. 



I have thrown together these remarks very hastily ; for aught I 

 know, there may be nothing in them either new or valuable. But it 

 strikes me, that if amateurs would occasionally contribute the results 

 of their experience to the pages of the Florist, or some kindred 

 publication, the cause of Floriculture would be sensibly benefited 

 thereby. A. S. H. 



THE TULIP. No. II. 



T LAST month suggested the practicability of having an exhibition of 

 Tuhps at Chiswick or Regent's Park, as an additional attraction at 

 the May show, and I promised to point out the way in which such 

 a desideratum might be accomplished; a duty which I now proceed 

 to fulfil. It will be obvious that nothing is easier than to say that 

 it cannot be done ; all new schemes are almost certain to have cold 

 water thrown on them ; I do not therefore expect that my suggestion 

 will be an exception ; but I shall not complain, — a warm shower will 

 do no harm to a bed of Tulips. 



But to begin : let us suppose that the bed contains 400 rows ; 

 it could be supplied by four growers, each planting 100 rows with 

 their best bulbs and varieties ; or a larger number might contribute, 

 should that be considered desirable. The soil should be prepared in 



• We can confirm this statement. The best blooms produced at Slough are 

 from a quarter which, with one or two exceptions, has had Dahlias on it for the 

 last twenty years. Our experience also coincides with that of our correspondent 

 with respect to earwigs. — Ed. 



