On the Cultivation of the Tulip. 409 



to spend both time and money in such pursuits; but by not 

 understanding the nature of tliem, are prevented from ma- 

 king tlie attempt. In order to do away witli this difficulty 

 in part, I will engage to give them all the knowledge I have 

 on this subject, which will cost but a trifling sum, compared 

 to the years of time I have been collecting it together. 



Those persons who are desirous of obtaining a good col- 

 lection of tulips, shouUl, by all means, make their selection 

 from some of the established seedsmen or nurserymen; for, 

 to trust to the bulbs that are sold every year, at the auction 

 rooms, in nine cases out of twelve, they would be deceived; 

 therefore it is highly recommendable, to make the selection 

 from persons of established credit, even if the cost is four 

 times as much, rather than to run any hazard. Supposing 

 the bulbs are on hand, the first step is to prepare for plant- 

 ing : the compost should be a mellow light earth, or leaf soil, 

 (the top spit of an old pasture field), preferring it rather light, 

 than of a strong binding nature, and well rotted stable ma- 

 nure, blending the whole well together. To three wheel- 

 barrow loads of the soil, add one of manure, and so continue 

 on, until there is enough mixed for use. This will be found 

 to be an excellent compost for the growth of the tulip, if it 

 has been thoroughly made. The beds should be four feet in 

 width, and from twenty to thirty feet, more or less, in length ; 

 preference should be given to a plat of ground that is well 

 sheltered from the north-west and easterly winds, observing 

 to keep away from the shade of large trees as much as pos- 

 sible. Having decided upon the location, go to work, and 

 throw out the whole of the surface and under soil, to the 

 depth of two and a half feet, taking it away to some conven- 

 ient place, leaving the bottom of the bed nice and level ; then 

 look out for some good stable manure, about half rotted, for 

 the purpose of laying at the bottom, about six inches thick ; 

 this will leave two feet in depth for the compost ; this may 

 appear, to some people, altogether superfluous; nevertheless, 

 it ought to be done, fortius reason; the manure will be in an 

 excellent condition for mixing with the soil the succeeding 

 year. I shall here observe, that it is not necessary to pre- 

 pare a fresh compost every year, after such an one has been 

 made as here recommended. If the operator thinks the soil 

 ought to be renewed in some degree the second season, a 

 portion could be taken away from the bed, and replaced with 

 some fresh compost, and so on year after year, never neglect- 

 ing to place the manure at the bottom of the bed, as before 

 stated: to do this properly, begin at one end, and take out 

 the whole of the sod, until you come to the bottom of the 

 bed. If it was made four feet in width, take four feet in 

 length ; this will leave a trench four feet square, and two 



VOL. I — NO. XI. 2 



