284 



ON TUB TULIP. 



keep away rats and mice. As I know accurately the classification 

 of my tulips, according to height and colour, yet I place the roots 

 in proper order in the compartments. Its first series hold those 

 whose stem is highest, and which are planted on the top of the 

 bed : the other compartments hold others less high, until all are 

 filled. The colours alternate as symmetrically as possible, so that 

 the same colour never appears twice together, either longitudi- 

 nally or transversely. It will result from this disposition of the 

 plants, that, in looking at the the bed obliquely, they appear like 

 a draught-board, with lines formed of an uninterrupted colour. 

 When 1 have properly arranged the roots in these compartments, 

 the next step is to choose out a piece of ground, not moist, open, 

 exposed to the south-east in preference to the south west, and dis- 

 tant at least fifteen feet from any wall, or hedge, I find it best to 

 give the bed a certain inclination, in order first to see the position 

 of the flowers more easily, and next to facilitate the flowing off of 

 rain or other moisture. When I make a second bed, I place it 

 opposite and parallel to the other, with a walk of about four feet 

 between, and with the lower part of one bed next to the lower part 

 of the other. By this means the two beds incline towards each 

 other. In order to renew certainly the principles which are indis- 

 pensible to bring tulips to perfection, the earth is changed every 

 two years ; and in order to preserve to the plants, the second year, 

 a vegetation as favourable as the first, it is well watered with liquid 

 manure, poured over the ground in July or August ; and in order 

 that every particle of the earth should be impregnated with it, the 

 whole soil is dug up in a month after, and well mingled together. 

 This is far preferable to mixing up dung with the soil as is usu- 

 ally done, I find the flowers are equally fine, and of much clearer 

 and finer colours. When the earth is properly prepared thus, 

 from the 1 2th to the 20th of November, the planting of the roots 

 takes place. The bed is carefully measured, and the roots placed 

 at equal distances. A small portion of sand placed at the bottom 

 of each hole, and the root covered with a little, allows the moisture 

 to pass through it quickly, and the roots are protected from 

 insects. When the roots are placed thus, they are covered by 

 the hand with a small quantity of earth; not pressing it too closely, 

 as if done so, the earth is rendered too compact by the pressure, 

 so that the roots do not vegetate easily, and the plant is liable to 

 be injured by moisture, which finds some difficulty in passing 

 through. The edges of my beds are supported, with stone, which 

 keeps out all insects. 



