52 REMARKS ON THE 



fastened the stem to the stick to prevent it from moving from the centre 

 of the glass, and examined each from time to time. As the stem 

 will generally grow two or more inches, when it is the case I raise the 

 glass so as to he the prescribed height. By following out this plan 

 I was enabled to ripen a considerable number of pods from very 

 valuable and first-rate varieties, without losing one.* 



The best time for sowing seed is the first week in February, in 

 pots, which I find much better than sowing it the first week in Janu- 

 ary, as stated by me in a former article. The pots must be placed in 

 a cold frame until the middle or latter end of April, and then plunged 

 in soil and placed in a good situation in the open garden. By at- 

 tending to this, an amateur will find that his hopes will not be 

 blighted, and in due time he may be able to enjoy the satisfaction of 

 having seedling breeders. 



ARTICLE VT. 



REMARKS ON THE PROPERTIES OF TULIPS. 



BY UK. JOHN SLATER, ALBION STREET, LOWER BROUGHTC.N, NEAR MANCHESTER. 



In answer to the query of " Tenurbs " respecting a list of Tulips 

 combining the properties described in Mr. Forbes's article on " the 

 Tulip," allow me to observe that the florists in the. north of England 

 and those of the southern differ much with respect to the properties. 

 I cordially agree with the southern florists in rejecting all that have 

 stained bottoms, as I consider nothing detracts so much from the 

 beauties as a tinged bottom. But it unfortunately happens that a 

 considerable number of them marks most beautifully, and it is on 

 that account they maintain their place as stage flowers. In the 

 south, what are considered extra fine Tulips, such as Everard, 

 Strong's King and some others, would not, in the north, be saleable 

 as stage flowers, although they possess every requisite except one, 

 that is, the marking. It is to be regretted that no attempt has been 

 made to assimilate the properties. The readers of the Cabinet will 



* When the seed is ripe, the pod will assume a yellowish brown colour, and it 

 v ill open at the sides ; it must then be cut, and the end of the pod tied with a 

 piece of thread to keep the seed from falling out: then hang it up in a dry place 

 until the time of sowing ; the seed keeps better in the pod than when out. 



