ILLUSTRATIONS. 293 



there was a second bulb of the same nature in Haarlem, he repaired to 

 that place, and after having purchased it at an enormous price, placed 

 it on a flagstone, and pounded it to a mummy with his foot, exclaiming 

 with exultation, " Now my Tulip is unique." In another instance a 

 Dutch gentleman having an income of 11,000/. per annum, purchased 

 Tulips to such an extent, that, in less than one year, by his floral gam- 

 bling, he reduced himself to beggary. This led the Dutch Govern- 

 ment at length to issue a proclamation to suppress this ruinous course. 



In Paris the prices given were nearly as extravagant as in Germany, 

 but did not require the interposition of Government. The greatest 

 rage for Tulips in England was from the middle of the seventeenth 

 century (1650) to nearly the middle of the eighteenth ; but it was 

 carried on with more caution and moderation than in the continental 

 countries, though as much as 500Z. eacli was the price of some of the 

 finest flowers. About 1740 an extensive taste for botany commenced, 

 and the procuring of new exotic plants, as well as hardy shrubs, 

 herbaceous plants, &c, from foreign countries was eagerly pursued. 

 This led to a decline of the Tulip mania. Still, however, the taste for 

 its cultivation is very extensive, both in our own country and Holland, 

 and for flowers of superior merits the cultivators in England far exceed 

 those of any other country ; and we believe Mr. Groom possesses the 

 most extensive collection of superb varieties of any Tulip-grower. One 

 bed, which comprises his best varieties, usually contains 2,000 Tulips, 

 besides which he has an immense quantity. All admirers of this 

 beautiful tribe of flowers should visit his establishment when his stock 

 is in bloom. 



Several excellent articles on the culture of Tulips have already ap- 

 peared in this Magazine. We refer our readers to the part,* iat her 

 than insert particulars here. The Tulip we now figure, Dr. Horner, 

 is what is termed '• a light feathered bizarre, having a slender beam 

 down the centre of each petal, of excellent form and pure colour." 



Seedlings, generally, when they first bloom, are without stripes or 

 markings, a yellow or white bottom, and all the upright portion of the 

 petals are self-coloured, a brown, red, rose, purple, scarlet, &c. In 

 this state most continue for several years without variegation, and are 

 termed Breeders. t Eventually they break (as it is termed) into 

 stripes, and they take their stand according to the merit of their re- 

 spective properties. They are usually divided into four classes : Roses, 

 which have while grounds, with various shades of red ; Bizarres, 

 which have yellow gioumls, with any dark colour for their markings; 

 and Bvblomlns, which have white grounds, with lilac, black, and 

 purple for their markings ; and Tricolors are those that have three 

 or more colours intermixed. These are not allowed as show flowers. 



* See Volume for 1850, by Dahl. 



f During these years most of the breeders produce an increase, and the young 

 bulbs being taken from the parent one, planted annually, &c. by the time that the 

 (lower of the parent bulb breaks, there is a number of its progeny. '1 hese young 

 breeder bulbs are sometimes offered for sale, prior to the original bulb having 

 broke. Persons desirous of purchasing such may generally be supplied by the 

 Tulip growers in the trade. 



