STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETT. 89 



aniums, the groaud would be too much disturbed and the bulbs liable to be thrown out. Every fall 

 cover with coarse manure and straw. In the spring, proceed as before stated, taking oft' the dead petu- 

 nia stalks, and witliout doubt every one trying the experiment, will uuite in proclaiming the tulip as 

 the grandest (lower of the early spring. A word with regard to varieties for planting. Our iiorists' 

 catalogues are extremely bewildering in the long lists of named varieties which they otter, and still 

 more bewildering are the prices they ask for some of the choicer varieties— particularly so when f 10.00 

 is set aside to till a bed witli tulips, and after scanning the long lists of named varieties, — the choicest 

 ones are selected, the price carried out and then find that at f 1 or ig2 each, there will be no more bulbs 

 than one can hold in his hand. It is a tax on ones ingenuity to make $10 cover a bed of several feet at 

 these figures. But leave these expensive varieties entirely alone for the present. Take the cheaper 

 varieties — they will give good satisfaction, and later on if it is thought desirable, the choicer varieties 

 may be procured and planted iu a corner of the garden, and when enough accumulated foi a good sized 

 bed, lay out another bed on your lawn, if large enough. 



Tulips are divided into two general classes, early m J late, and these are again subdivided into other 

 classes. The early varieties rtower on short stems ; the later ones rise a foot or more from the ground 

 before opening. In setting out. it would be best to have the late varieties in one bed and the early in 

 another, as it would detract from the general effect of the bed to have the bulbs coming into rtower at 

 difterent times, keeping different colors separate. It would also be a good idea before purchasing to draw 

 a plan of bed on paper, laying it ott' regularly, and decide just how many are wanted of each color to 

 fill it. 



The single varieties are the prettiest, most graceful ; the double varieties strike one at first glance as 

 monstrosities, and ihe eye instantly seeks relief in resting on the stately single blossoms. By having a 

 bed of each of the dirterent varieties, the succession of blooms may be made to extend over several 

 weeks. Have a few of the ridiculous Parrott Tulips by all meansjif only for health's sake, their very 

 homeliness is conducive to good digestion, for certainly one can't look at them without laughing at 

 their grotesqueness and funny attempts at resembling a ilower, and I.iughter is conceded to be a grand 

 promoter of digestion and happiness. 



Some propagators recommend taking the bulbs up every season after they aie through rtowering, but 

 this would interfere with their being n.sed for lawn purposes, as nothing else wonld be put on the bed 

 until the bulbs were taken up, and then it would be too late to start other plants. This plan will do 

 where they are planted out in nursery rows — but when they are in beds on the lawn, leave them undie- 

 tarbed iis long as they are doing well. When the plants become too thick and show signs of weakness, 

 about the last of June or 1st of July, when the tops have died down, take the bulbs up carefully, let- 

 ting them d'-y under cover. When dry, remove offsets and smaller bulbs. Wrap each large rtowering 

 bulb by itself in a paper, place in a box, and keep in a dry place until wanted for setting out in the fall. 

 The offsets and smaller bulbs may be set out in a bed in the kitchen garden where they may perfect 

 their growth for another season. 



The tulip has been called the "king of rtorists flowers," and it certainly merits the name ; coming at 

 a time when flowers are so scarce, making the lawn so bright and cheerful. For some years past it has 

 not been very popular — some more pretentious flowers but not more worthy, having absorbed the 

 attention of rtower lovers, to its almost utter exclusion. It is time that it is brought forward and 

 given the place it justly deserves — as king of the early spring rtowers. 



DOMESTIC FRUITS IN MINNESOTA. 



BY A. W. SI.\S. 



The tlorist, vegetable gardener and seedsman no doubt begin to regard this subject of apples and hy 

 brids as somewhat hackneyed. But it should be borne in mind that ever since the establishment of the 

 Garden of Eden, fruits have been first and foremost among the attractive and irresistible products of the 

 horticulturist. The word irresistible Is used because we do know that the '-best regulated families," 

 whenever an opportunity presents itself, will steal, unless supplied with home grown fruits. 



The Appuo, Kino ok all Fruits. — Downing says, ••is most perfectly naturalized in Am- 

 erica, and iu the northern and middle portions of the United States succeeds as well, or, 

 as we believe, better than any part of the world, The most celebrated apples of Ger- 

 many and the north of Europe are not superior to many of the varieties originated here, 

 and the American or Newton Pippin is pretty generally admitted to be the finest apple in the 

 world." Downing also says, in "Dnxbury, Mass., is a tree which in its girth measures twelve feet five 



