ON THE TULIP. 43 



the south of England. There are persons, chiefly in the north of 

 England, who for the want of better retain them ; and it is a striking 

 and almost unaccountable circumstance, that such Eorts as Surpasse 

 la Cantique, Goude Munt, Due de Savoie, Due de Bronte, &c. should 

 in the north be taking premier, and first prizes, though long since 

 discarded by fanciers in the south. It exemplifies the fact that 

 Tulip cultivators in one half of our island are a century in advance 

 of their brother florists in the other. 



Fourthly ; in giving the criterion of a fine Tulip, Mr. F.'s 

 fourth property or condition is, " a union of at least three colours 

 clearly defined; it is necessary that at least three colours should ap- 

 pear, harmoniously combined, so that the eye may love to rest on the 

 union." This feature is, alas ! too conspicuous in many flowers, 

 and its existence often proves a disqualification (in the south of 

 England) to flowers exhibited in class especially. The third colour 

 is usually the remainder of the original breeder colour, as it is termed, 

 which in the estimation of many greatly depreciates its worth. For 

 instance, Rosa Blanca, in its best state, is, a white ground, feathered 

 with deep rose, without the slightest streak of the lighter pink breeder 

 colour. Ambassador, when perfect, is a white ground, and nearly 

 black feathering, the presence of the light violet colour being a defect. 

 Perfect Tulips ought to be bicoloured; the flame, or feather, being 

 one distinct uniform colour on a pure ground of white or yellow. 

 There is one exception in favour of a few fine varieties between by- 

 blomens and bizards, called tricolours, such as Carlo Dolci, Rutley's 

 Tricolour, Strong's Alfred, Dr. Franklin, &c; but with this exception 

 our " eyes have no love to rest on the union." 



Fifthly: in giving instructions for raising Tulips from seed, it is 

 said, "They," that is, florists, " take care not to employ any seed 

 but that which comes from Tulips having the bottom of the petals of 

 a pure white :" from this it would appear that Tulips with yellow 

 grounds are excluded; but the truth is, that yellow grounds are 

 equally and deservedly in as much repute as white grounds from 

 which to select seed bearers, the purity of colour or clean stainles 

 bottom being equally essential in both classes. 



Sixthly ; the directions for arranging the roots for planting are 

 also totally inapplicable for English culture. Mr. F. says, Drawers 

 with compartments should be provided, and the roots placed in 



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