106 FIVE MINUTES ADVICE TO A YOUNG TULir-GROWEH. 



I cannot see why it should have been so recommended, as nearly in 

 every case the seedlings partake more or less of the character of the 

 parent bulb. Roi de Si am is not a steady bloomer ; sometimes it is 

 first rate, at others nearly a breeder. Its petals are certainly thick 

 and fleshy, which is a desirable quality, and also well formed, which 

 makes it last a long time previous to its petals falling. The next 

 point to be considered, and a principal one, is the form. Do not 

 select any but what are first rate ; if they have a tendency to throw 

 out the three outer petals in a triangular form, pass them, for this is a 

 great defect. If tall risers, you must make a considerable allowance, 

 as they will not grow so high when broken, by nearly one-fourth. 

 The cup must be short, the petals thick and well rounded on the 

 top, and broad at the base, for if not so, when expanded there will be 

 a vacancy, which may be seen through. They should also clip close 

 and tight, that if any thing, such as bran, were put inside, it would 

 not fall through. There are some which have well-formed petals, 

 and lap over, but notwithstanding hang loose ; these must not be 

 selected. 



Nearly the same advice will do for Bizarres, excepting they must 

 have a pure yellow bottom, yellow filaments, and bold anthers. Be 

 careful to look at the base of the petals outside, where the flower 

 stem is attached, and let the colour be a good one, and of a deeper 

 colour than Polyphemus, and also one that will be neither a Byblomen 

 nor Bizarre, the same as Carlo Dolci, but one that will fade but little 

 as it ages, that you may judge what will be ground colour when 

 broken. As respects the colour, it is immaterial whether a good dark 

 coffee colour or a brownish-yellow, as it often happens that the ugliest 

 breeder makes the best flower when broken; and one -of a snuff 

 colour breaks often into a dark feathered flower. The same remarks 

 will serve for Byblomens and Roses. There is one thing, however, 

 must not be overlooked ; that is, the filaments or stamens must be 

 perfectly pure, either yellow in a Bizarre, or a pure white in a Rose 

 or Byblomen. Many fine varieties have a slight tinge just where 

 the anthers rest. Some breeders have either a blue or greyish coloured 

 base, and white or yellow stamens; it sometimes happens that the 

 stain will break out, but on no account whatever select a stained 

 bottom, whatever its other properties may be, as so many fine breeder 

 Tulips are yearly making their appearance, which will soon make 

 them valueless. 



