290 ILLUSTRATIONS. 



plants will soon appear. When they are strong enough, pot the plants 

 into small pots, in a compost of sandy peat, light loam, and old rotten 

 cow-dung in equal parts. When potted, replace them in the hot-bed 

 frame. About October gradually withhold water, and place the pots 

 in the shed, or cool part of the greenhouse, so as to preserve them from 

 frost. As soon as signs of returning growth are seen the second 

 season, pot the tubers, and treat them similar to older plants. 



Such kinds as prove fine and distinct should be increased. Scoop 

 out a leaf, with the bud at its base, from the parent stem or trunk ; 

 insert it in white sand or sandy peat, pegging it securely down with 

 hooked pegs, and it will soon take root ; by due attention none will 

 fail. 



When a leaf, with its bud, cannot be obtained, pursue the following 

 method : — Fill a pot with sandy peat, to about an inch from the rim, 

 upon which spread half an inch of white sand, settle it with water, take 

 the leaf and cut through the strong ribs, at the under side, in a few 

 places, and then spread it flat upon the sand, the rib side to the sand, 

 and secure it down flat by means of pegs or pebbles, but have a peg to 

 secure down the stalk. Place the pot in a hot-bed frame, or similar 

 situation, where it can have bottom heat, cover with a bell-glass, and 

 from the sides of the cuts tubers will be produced. This method suc- 

 ceeds well ; but a larger tuber is sooner formed when the leaf bud is 

 attached, as by the first described process. 



Blooming Plants. — Early in February take one-fourth of the 

 tubers, pot them in the following compost : equal parts of loam, leaf- 

 mould, sandy peat, and old rotten cow-dung, with a few bits of pots or 

 charcoal mixed therein ; have it in a rough state and a. free drainage. 

 Place them in a hot-bed frame or bark bed, and duly attend to their 

 future culture. Repot when required ; but do not disturb the ball of 

 roots and soil. At the end of six weeks or two months pot another 

 portion of the tubers, and thus again in succession, and plants may be 

 had in bloom nearly all the year. When the plants have done flower- 

 ing, gradually withhold water, to give the tubers a season of rest. 

 Have each successive portion of tubers kept separate, marking them 

 with number one, two, &c, and the plants will, by regular yearly treat- 

 ment, become habituated to bloom satisfactorily at the desired period. 

 This charming tribe of plants will amply repay for any attention, and 

 during the period of flowering can be kept in a warm sitting-room, if 

 desired. Nearly all the kinds may be procured at the nurseries very 

 cheap. 



GROOM'S DR. HORNER TULIP. 



This very superb Bizarre Tulip is a seedling raised and broke by 

 Mr. Groom, florist, of Clapham Rise, near London, and the price 

 attached to it in his catalogue is one hundred guineas. This is a large 

 sum ; but so celebrated a cultivator would not affix such a price to it 

 did not the flower, of its class, possess very superior properties to any 

 predecessor. 



The Tulip, it is said, was first introduced into England from Turkey, 

 and was named Tulipa from the resemblance of its corolla to the 



