THE TULIP. 17 



inches deep. The bulbs should then be planted six 

 inches apart each way ; pressed deep enough to keep 

 them in their places, and covered with mould to the 

 depth of three inches on the sides of the bed, and 

 five inches in the center. This precaution is necessary, 

 that water may not stand on the bed during the winter. 

 When the bed is planted and covered, it may be left to 

 the weather until the Tulips come up, or about the first 

 of March. A slight protection of litter is then required, 

 as the frost has a tendency to check the bloom. When 

 the flowers appear, if they are protected from the sun by 

 a light canvas, the period of bloom may be kept up for 

 three or four weeks. The colors are generally better if 

 not shaded at all, but in that case the bloom would be 

 soon over. Sometimes a single day's hot sun will 

 completely spoil them. 



When the flowers begin to fade, they should be cut 

 away and removed from the bed. As soon as the stems 

 of the Tulip turn yellow, and the leaves begin to dry 

 they may be taken up and put in a cool, dry place. When 

 dry, thoroughly clean off the old skin and dirt, and put 

 in paper bags, ready for planting out again in October. 

 The Tulip is also now extensively forced for cut flowers 

 during the winter and spring months. The method of 

 culture is identical with that of the Roman Hyacinth 

 and Paper Narcissus, which see. 



