IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



scarlet blooms, will all bear a little forcing, as they naturally 

 produce their blossoms earlier than the rest ; but the great 

 desideratum in the cultivation of early tulips is to start them 

 in good time. Unless the bulbs are allowed to form strong 

 roots before their foliage begins to move, failure is likely to 

 ensue ; and for this reason those needed for early bloom 

 should be planted as soon as they can be obtained in the 

 autumn. The tulips in pots which are offered for sale early 

 in the year are not grown in pots, for it is almost im- 

 possible to induce three or five bulbs to open their blooms 

 simultaneously, and amateurs are often disappointed at the 

 different appearance of their own potted bulbs, which will 

 persist in opening their buds irregularly, with the effect that 

 some of the flowers are over, whilst others are not yet 

 expanded. The secret of the matter is this that early 

 tulips should be planted in boxes of light soil, about 

 8 inches deep, each bulb 4 inches from the next, placing 

 them in the open air and the full sunshine during their first 

 period of growth, although the bulbs should be thickly 

 covered with sand or fine ashes, first laying over them 

 enough clean moss to prevent contact between the ashes and 

 the bulbs, which are placed just below the surface ot 

 the soil. One thorough watering after the bulbs are put 

 in will usually be enough, as the autumnal rains will keep 

 them moist ; but during a dry season it may be necessary to 

 water them occasionally. As soon as the green points of the 

 bulbs appear (on examining their state by raising a corner ot 

 the covering of the ashes and moss), this covering should be 

 removed, and the boxes may be lifted into a cool greenhouse, 

 gradually increasing the warmth given, with plenty of tepid 

 water, light, and air, until the colour of the buds becomes 

 visible. Each bulb can then be raised separately from the box 

 and arranged with those which are in an equally forward state. 

 Packed into china bowls or quaint receptacles of various 

 kinds, they are invaluable in the room and on the dinner- 

 table, and a little fresh moss, to cover the bulbs, with luke- 

 warm water, will complete their needs. One of the earliest 

 to open (after those already mentioned) is Silver Standard, 



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