14 TULIPS. [October. 



appearance in general culture. There are also a few very 

 choice single kinds' that are desirable for growing to raise 

 new sorts from ; for it is from the single species that the 

 Chinese have been so successful in procuring the magnificent 

 double varieties, which are so anxiously and perseveringly 

 sought for. The seeds mature well in this country, and 

 should be sown as soon as ripe ; they will vegetate the fol- 

 lowing spring, and in three years may be expected to bloom. 

 The Paeony will grow in any rich loamy soil, which should 

 be at least fifteen inches deep. An eastern situation or 

 aspect is best adapted for them in this latitude ; but in the 

 more southern states, they will display their flowers better 

 on a northern aspect, or where they will be shaded from 

 the sun, but not under the dripping of trees. The most 

 suitable time for planting them is in September, October, 

 or November. Spring-planted roots never succeed well the 

 first year. Pseony moutan and its varieties are all of a 

 shrubby nature, and will grow into large bushes, produc- 

 ing from fifty to one hundred blooms of not less than fifteen 

 inches in circumference ; they can be propagated by divi- 

 sion of the root, or by layers. 



Tulips. As this flower will soon be a decided favourite 

 over this mighty country, we will give a minute descrip- 

 tion of the soil most genial to it, at the same time re- 

 marking that it will grow in almost any soil or situation, 

 though less perfect. Many of the kinds are of the most 

 splendid colours and strong in growth, frequently growing 

 over three feet in height, with cups sufficiently large to 

 satisfy the greatest Bacchus. AH writers agree that Tulip 

 beds should be " four feet wide ;" though I think three 

 and a half will be found more convenient, and, in length, 

 according to the number of roots to be planted. The soil 

 should consist of good fresh loam, mixed with a small por- 

 tion of weh! rotted stable manure, at least two years old. 

 The whole should be incorporated together four months 

 previous to using. The common soil should be taken out 

 sixteen inches deep, and filled with the above compost. 

 Raise the beds not less than three inches above the paths 

 at the outside, and about six or eight inches in the middle ; 

 this convexity will assist in throwing ofFthe water in times 

 of heavy and continued rains. The bed thus formed, plant 

 the bulbs in rows, lengthwise on the bed, about six inches 



