46 RIVERSIDE LETTERS vi 



planted in a sheltered place near a wall, it 

 never fails to bloom. But you will have to go 

 and look for it, as its humble size and sombre 

 colour render it invisible to all but those who 

 have eyes to see, and know how to use them. 



It promises to be a good season for my 

 tulips, they are mostly of the late blooming 

 varieties, Parrots, Gesner, and the old- 

 fashioned long-stalked sorts that flourish 

 usually in cottage gardens ; the only early 

 tulip I have is the Turkestan tulip or 

 Tulipa Greigi, which came into bloom here 

 on the third of this month ; this magnificent 

 Hower might well be termed king of all tulips. 

 I know of none that approach it in size and 

 brilliancy ; when it is fully out its colour is of 

 the most dazzling orange vermilion, but it is 

 even more beautiful in colour before it is fully 

 expanded. I measured two huge buds, and 

 found they were each a trifle over five inches 

 in length, which is enormous for a tulip of 

 any sort. 



This tulip is very hardy indeed ; its foliage 



