84 FL01UCULTUKAL GLEANINGS. 



varnishing that nothing can surpass. The petals too are of amazing 

 strength and thickness; indeed I measured the bloom, and although 

 Mr. B. told me that it was only from a middle-sized root, the cup 

 actually measured four inches in diameter. It must therefore be an 

 acquisition to any collection. 



With respect to the form of the cup, it is not necessary to say 

 much. Our old friend Triomphe Royal seems to be a general fa- 

 vourite in all localities, and therefore I think the " Juvenile Florist " 

 cannot be very far wrong if he takes it, when not too far expanded, as 

 a criterion. I think a little greater depth than the half of a hollow 

 sphere is the favourite form in the north, which allows a sufficient 

 inspection of the interior of the corolla, and yet does not give that 

 idea of a falling flower which a shallower cup invariably produces. 

 Certainly Triomphe Royal is a trifle pointed in the petals ; but I 

 think if the " Juvenile Florist" succeeds in raising seedlings as good 

 as this variety, he may safely congratulate himself on his success. 



In addition to the above, we may repeat what has been said on 

 former occasions, that a Tulip, to be perfect, ought to be strictly bi- 

 coloured. The ground colour must be pure white or yellow, and the 

 marking, whether feathering or flaming, or both, must consist of only 

 another colour. This is a point which cannot be too much insisted 

 on. On this account the tricolours are in little esteem among the 

 northern Tulip growers, who are generally members of the florists' 

 societies, and of course only buy such varieties as are likely to be of 

 service to them at an exhibition. 



Having now answered this query at some length, I beg to say that I 

 have never yet seeded any of my varieties, but I intend to do so this 

 season ; and as I intend to be guided by the following and similar 

 advice, I beg to copy it for the information of the "Juvenile Florist," 

 if not trespassing too much on the pages of the Cabinet. It is from 

 the pen of Mr. J. Banton : — see p. 86, vol. iii. of the Cabinet. 



To save Seed. — " Select such flowers as you think most eligible 

 in respect to shape, colour, &c. Although much has been said rela- 

 tive to raising seed from self-coloured or breeding tulips, it does not 

 appear, from the published experience of some first-rate growers, to 

 be of any consequence whether the seed be saved from broken or un- 

 broken flowers : in either case they should be handsomely cupped 

 with clear bottoms, these being indispensable qualities in a good 



