126 CULTURE 01' BLETIA TANKERVT.LLI.5i. 



early, middle, and late flowering Tulips, whereas, there are but two 

 primary distinct kinds, Proecoces and Serotinas." 



The following is the manner of his description of the named Tulip 

 flowers, and of which there are about 179, besides those he does not 

 describe. 



viz. Proecoces 36 1 



Medias 136 > 179 T have selected two only, both of 

 Serotinas 9 \ which I have. 



" Semper Augustus, heretofore of much esteem, hath a flower not 

 very large, but well veined and striped with deep crimson and pale 

 yellow, the bottom and Tamis dark violet purple." 



" Royal Vesta, or Nonpare, is a better and more constant flower 



than the last (viz, Vesta) ; the colours are carnation, crimson, and 



white, when the flower makes well, the bottom is white and the tamis 



blue." 



" For various colours Tulips most excel, 



And some Anemonies do please as well; 



Ranunculus in richest scarlets shine, 



Auricula aud Bears-ears may with these in beauty join : 



But yet if ask and have were in my power, 



Next to the Rose give me the July-flower." 

 The above above few lines are written at the close of the article on 

 July-flowers, and it appears at that period the supply for the growers 

 were brought from Holland, Flanders and other parts of the Nether- 

 lands, he inserts a list of three hundred and sixty by name ; he says, 

 "multitudes of these (seedlings) are often brought over to London, 

 and there sold at mean rates to gardeners who sell them again to 

 others, who delight in flowers commonly for 12 pence a layer; but 

 most of these mercenary fellows about London are very deceitful, and 

 whoever trusts is sure to be deceived, as I myself have often been, 

 even by such of them as I had by many benefits obliged." 



" 1 have heard but of very few good flowers that have been raised 

 of seeds by any in England." 



ARTICLE VIII.— ON THE CULTURE OF BLETIA TANKERVILLI^E. 



BY MR. HENRY HARKHAM, LINNjEOS-STREET, HULL. 



In reading over your Floricultural Cabinet, I find J. R. W., wishful, 

 that some correspondent of your's would give him some information, 

 how to treat the Bletia Tankervillise, so as to cause it to produce its 

 singular and splendid flowers. I therefore send you a few remarks on 

 the culture of that plant. 



It is very easy of culture, and will flower freely if potted in, a 

 soil composed of equal parts of light sandy loam, peat, and river 



