ON THE TULIP. 285 



Tulips, from being exposed to the intemperature of the atmos- 

 phere, are subject to certain diseases, which it is of consequence 

 to prevent. From the middle of February, to the middle of 

 April, they have generally to encounter snow, hail, and cold rains. 

 The cups formed by the young leaves, at the bottom of which the 

 bud lies shut up, get filled with rain, and the result is, that the 

 water remains there until it insinuates itself into the interior of 

 the root, and often spoils it, or impedes its opening. To obviate 

 any inconvenience arising from exposure to the weather, it is ne- 

 cessary to shelter the flowers with a covering of canvass, which, 

 by means of cords and pullies, I can extend or roll up at will. 

 The bed is covered with this in unfavourable weather, but exposed 

 to the rays of the sun, and to gentle rain. When the flowers are 

 opeD the covering is kept over the bed during rain, and from nine 

 to four o'clock in case of sun, by this means the duration of 

 blowing, is prolonged, and the beauties of the flowers can be ad- 

 mired without any exposure to rain or sun. 



When the flowers are open I take a particular survey of my 

 stock to see that each kind is true to the catalogue register, and 

 regulate if required. When the bloom is over, the seed vessels 

 are cut off, in order that the roots may profit by the sap, which 

 otherwise would have been absorbed. The time for taking up 

 the roots is easily ascertained. When the stems roll themselves 

 round the fingers without breaking, then I am certain that the time 

 for taking up has arrived. This takes place generally towards the 

 end of June, and I am careful to observe the same order as was 

 adopted in planting them. Too tender to resist the action of 

 the sun after being taken from the ground, the roots are liable 

 to perish by being exposed to its rays, so that care is taken to 

 avoid such injury. 



In taking them up I gently uncover the ground at the sides of 

 the roots, and then uncover them ; after they have been depri- 

 ved of their shoots, of their dry skins, and separated from the 

 offsets, I place them in cases destined to receive them. I then 

 leave them to dry in the shade from morning to evening, for four 

 or five days. During a month, I occasionally expose them to the 

 air, in order to guarantee their perfect dryness, and thus con- 

 tribute to their better preservation. Some other remarks on 

 Florist's flowers are sent me which I reserve for future occasions. 



James Fokuks. 



