y-1 



ON THK CUL,T1VAT10N OF TULll'S. 



planting is about the 9th of November. Wiien the bulbs are all ready, 

 draw a straight line down the middle of the bed, and marii it ; then 

 tiiree lines each side, tlie first six inches from the middle one, and the 

 others five inches apart. A person each side of tlie bed, witii a bit of 

 string, can mark the cross lines six inches apart. Then at the parts 

 where the lines meet for the planting of the bulbs, with a dibble make 

 a hole four indies deep ; but this dibble should be of this 

 sliape, viz., about a foot long, the upper end six or seven 

 inches, about the size of a broom handle, and the lower end 

 about half the size, or less. The shoulder, on the large 

 part, makes a ridge in the earth, on which the bulb rests, 

 and the hole made by the lower part for the fibres of tlie 

 root to descend into. Several extensive growers have had, 

 as they thought, the laugh at me for using this instrument, 

 thinking it was of no sort of use ; and I liave had tlie laugh 

 at them when tiie beds were in bloom. The use is obvious 

 to every one who will condescend to give it a thought. Its 

 uses are, first, the shoulder prevents the wet lodging near 

 the bulb, and thus preserves it from rotting. Second, it is 

 almost certain destruction to a bulb to come in contact with 

 dung in any state, and yet it requires its exciting powers, and this dibble 

 with tlie small part makes a way for the roots to find the very compost 

 laid for them at the bottom of the bed, and the bulb is safe. Thirdly, at 

 the time of bloom the sun generally has great power, and penetrates a 

 considerable distance into the earth, and if the roots are running about 

 a few inches only from the surface of the bed, the sun's rays cause a 

 dryness in the earth which dries the fibrous roots, and the bloom has 

 not the power to stand erect, consequently must be supported with 

 sticks ; and thus it is a common tiling to see a whole bed of Tulips 

 with sticks to tliem. Now through the use of this dibble the roots are 

 enabled, not only to get to the food they require, but are away from 

 the effects of tlie sun's rays, and tlie bloom, in nine cases out of ten, 

 can support itself without the aid of sticks ; thus a vast deal of trouble 

 is saved, and the appearance of the bed is tar superior. Well, with 

 this dibble make the holes full four inches deep from the shoulder to 

 the surface of the earth ; then plant the bulb, laying it over the small 

 hole made by the lower end of the dibble ; cover it with some clean 

 dry sand (be careful it is perfectly clean). The dry brown outside 

 skin that covers the bulb should be taken off before the bulb is planted ; 

 if left on it often becomes a receptacle fur insects, which injure the 

 bulb. After having planted the bulbs, and covered them with a little 

 sand, rake the earth into all the holes, and if you think they are not 

 covered to the depth of four inches put on more earth, rake smooth, 

 keeping the middle higher than the sides, as before mentioned. A 

 very essential thing now remains to be done ; put some hoops or iron 

 frames over the bed, and cover with a string net ; some small nails 

 may be driven into the side boards, to which the net may be attached. 

 This will be a guard to tlie bed, for cats are very fond of groping over 

 a Tulip-bed, and where they leave their excrement destruction to the 

 bulb is sure to follow. After this they want no further care till they 



