226 groom's victoria regina tulip. 



throw off the water. In the compost he recommends, Mr. Groom 

 informed us, the Tulip does not grow too vigorous to be what is called 

 rank, viz., causing the colours to run, but the plants grow bold, 

 strong, and healthy, retaining all their delicacy of tint. From 

 November 1st to the 10th is the proper period for planting. The 

 surface of the compost is then stirred up a few inches deep ; being 

 levelled, an inch thick of light loam and river sand, equal parts, is 

 spread over it, upon which the bulbs are firmly placed, in rows 

 about six and a half inches apart each way, the bed having seven 

 rows, and finally are covered with the loam and sand four inches 

 deep, leaving the surface convex. 



In arranging the kinds, he begins in the centre row with a By- 

 blcemen, next a Bizard, then a Rose, and thus continues the classes. 

 The second row a Bizard, next a Rose, then a Byblcemen. By this 

 arrangement he obtains a regular mixture of the three classes of 

 colours. Protection is given to the bed from January till the severity 

 of winter is over; the surface being covered with two or three inches 

 of dry leaves, over which is scattered a sprinkling of soil, is the best 

 cover, and when not required for protection is readily removed to 

 allow the Tulips to push without interruption. The flowers are 

 shaded at the time of blooming. The distinguishing properties and 

 qualities of the flowers in the classes into which Tulips are divided, 

 are as follows : — 



The ground, by which we mean the white or yellow on which the 

 other colours are marked, should be pure and rich, without spots or 

 stains ; and it is of the greatest importance to have it quite clear of 

 any colour or marks at the base of the petals around the staminse, for 

 a stain there is a permanent defect which no cultivation can remedy : 

 it is also desirable in the yellow grounds that the colour outside of 

 the petals should be of the same intensity as inside, as there are many 

 flowers possessing good qualities that are rendered defective by 

 having a very pale yellow or nearly white outside. There is a class 

 of flowers called tricolors, having neither white nor yellow grounds. 



The three principal classes into which the Tulip is at present 

 arranged are, — the Rose, having a rose or cherry colour on a white 

 ground; the Bybloemen, containing all the shades of purple and 

 brown, also on a white ground; and the Bizard, having various 

 colours on a yellow ground. Neither colour is considered superior to 



