TULIP. 295 
The Tulip is not at all particular as regards soil; it 
will grow to perfection in the light sand of Holland, 
and we haye had as large and handsome flowers as ever 
grew, from bulbs in the heaviest clay. The only differ- 
ence is that a light loamy or sandy soil can be kept in 
better condition than a heavy one, and in such there 
will be a more rapid increase. In preparing a bed for 
Tulips, care should be taken to have it so shaped that it 
will shed water, which is a greater injury to the bulbs 
than frost. The soil should be worked deep and made 
rich. It would be better to plant the bulbs in Septem- 
ber; but that is not practicable, as the space they are to 
occupy is already filled with autumn flowers, which can- 
nut be disturbed until after frost. Therefore, planting 
nust ke deferred until the ground is vacant, then put in 
the bulbs without delay. If the soil is heavy, put the 
buibs three inches below the surface ; if light, put them 
four inches below; and six inches apart each way. If 
protected, as they should be, rake off the covering as 
soon as vegetation starts, as the Tulip is one of the first 
plants to appear. It will well repay the cost to throw a 
straw mat over the bed whenever there is danger of 
freezing, to protect the buds, and remove the mat dur- 
ing the day, whenever the weather will permit. When 
the flowers appear, if they are protected from the sun by 
a light canvas, say three or four feet above the flowers, 
their period of bloom will be greatly lengthened. The 
colors are generally better when not shaded, but a single 
day’s hot sun will greatly shorten their existence. As 
soon as convenient after the flowers begin to fade, they 
should be cut away and removed from the bed. When 
the leaves begin to turn yellow, take up the bulbs and 
heel them in for a few days, or until they get thoroughly 
dry; a partially shaded situation is preferable. After 
they are dry, place them on a shelf for a few days, then 
put them in paper bags until time for planting again - 
