PROPERTIES OF TULIPS. 53 



perhaps recollect that, in an article on the Tulip, I alluded particu- 

 larly to the difference of opinion, with the view of something being 

 done. The northern florists appreciate all the properties (as I hefore 

 said), save one, admired in the south, and that is the marking; but 

 instead of those irregular blotches, they require a feathered flower to 

 be beautifully pencilled all round the petal, without the least break 

 in the feathering, so as to show the ground colour; and any mark or 

 blotch, except the feathering, is considered as a fault, and if it does 

 not come to this standard, or nearly so, it is rejected as not worthy of 

 being cultivated as a stage flower. Again, a flamed Tulip must also 

 possess a good beam. By a beam, I do not mean to call a straight 

 line up the centre of the petal a beam, such as the northern florists 

 would acknowledge as one, but which is called so in the south. 

 They want pencilling branching out from this beam to the feathering, 

 the more the better, if sufficient of the ground colour is shown. 

 This is what constitutes a flamed Tulip. It is impossible for one 

 who is not acquainted with this difference to recommend a list to 

 "Tenurbs." I purpose going to Haarlem in May to select a few 

 new varieties for sale, in addition to what has been sent me this sea- 

 son on trial, as well as on my return to visit the principal places in 

 the south of England, to make remarks, &c. upon Tulips that may be 

 considered to possess the properties generally required by florists ; 

 till that period arrives, a correct list cannot well be made out. It is a 

 mistaken idea, that the Dutch excel us in new varieties of this 

 flower at this present time. I have been informed by one of the 

 oldest establishments in Haarlem, that but little attention is paid to 

 the raising of late Tulips, and that the best varieties were not raised 

 by the Dutch, but were raised principally by the monks, &c. in the 

 gardens of the monasteries of Ghent, Valenciennes, Dunkirk, and 

 Lisle, many years ago, where existed the finest collections. It was 

 by purchasing from these collections that the Dutch florists gained so 

 much celebrity. In the north of England there are a few varieties 

 of considerable merit, but the price is here considered very high 

 if 5/. is asked, whilst the London florists, perhaps for the same, 

 would ask 50/. There is a rose, which I consider the finest ever 

 1 in England, grown by two or three individuals, of which I be- 

 lli vc- there is only one broken, the feathering a most beautiful rosy 

 icurlet, and the cup., &c. such as would please all. There is perhaps 



