128 VILLA GAEDENING part i 



red or purple ; these again are subdivided, according to the 

 markings. If the red or piu'ple rise from the bottom of the petal 

 in a broad stripe or baud it is said to be " flaked ;" but if the dark 

 colour forms an edging round the margin of the petals, and at the 

 same time descends them in a series of little delicate feathery 

 veins, it is said to be "feathered." 



2. Byhloemens, which have white grounds, shaded with dark 

 purple, and are also, as in the preceding section, subdivided into 

 flamed and feathered forms. 



3. Roses. — White gromids, shaded with rose coloiu' or cherry 

 red, and also grouped in two subsections, as flaked and feathered. 



4. Selfs, being either a pure yellow or white. The beds for 

 Tulips should be prepared hy turning over and intermLxing towards 

 the end of September or earlier, if not occupied with other plants. 

 Loam and manure should be well blended with the soil of the bed. 

 The oftsets and the small bulbs may be planted in October, and 

 the main bed of flowering bulbs in November, picking a suitable 

 opportunity when the soil works freely. Each bulb should have 

 a space of 8 inches or 9 inches square, and they may either stand 

 quincunx fashion or be lined each way. The bulbs should be 

 covered about 4 inches deep. A good deal of care and attention 

 is necessary to obtain the successful results which are generally 

 secured by the florist who makes the Tulip a specialty. Every- 

 thing that may lead to damp and decay is removed from the little 

 spear-shaped green heads as they emerge from the soil, and none 

 but those who have experienced similar feelings can reahse how 

 anxiously they are looked for, to ascertaiu if any are awanting in the 

 extended ranks ranged with mathematical precision along the bed. 

 Then as the days lengthen, and the cold becomes more intense, 

 what troubles are encountered in finding and applying .shelter, so 

 that not a leaf may be discoloured ! Tulips are and may be culti- 

 vated without all this -trouble, but nothing but the best will 

 satisfy the enthusiast. As the flower spikes advance they must be 

 supported in some way, but the ties should not be too tight. 

 Though the Tulip mania is never likely to return again, still a 

 good seedling Tidip is worth money, and even if it was not, seed- 

 lings would be raised from a love of the work and the interest 

 which it inspires. The crossing of two good flowers will be pro- 

 ductive of something good. All flowers operated on should be 

 distinctively marked. When the flowering is over, the seed 

 gathered, and the growth ripened, the bulbs should be taken up 

 and placed in some dry aiiy room or building to finish off" their 

 ripening, preparatory to being sorted, cleaned, and put away till 

 planting time comes roimd again, I have only given the merest 



