66 THE BOOK OF BULBS 



to plant in November than in the earlier month. Three 

 or four inches is the depth generally recommended, but 

 on light soil an additional inch may be given. Six 

 inches apart is a good distance at which to plant the 

 bulbs for ordinary effect. The English florist's Tulip 

 ought to have a good loamy soil, the bulbs being 

 planted three inches deep and four apart in lines. The 

 end of October to the middle of November is the best 

 time, but the bulbs should never be planted unless the 

 soil is in a good working condition. Some litter should 

 be put over the beds in severe frosts, and an awning 

 erected over them at the blooming- time to preserve the 

 flowers from rain and strong sun. There are a number 

 of details connected with the florist's Tulip and its 

 cultivation which cannot be given in the space of this 

 work, but Mr Bentley's little pamphlet, entitled "The 

 English Tulip," will give all necessary information not to 

 be found here. The florist's Tulip can be grown in a 

 border, but its effect there is not so good as that of 

 some of the self-coloured flowers. 



The early Tulips are the most prized for pot-culture, 

 but the others may be used also, although not generally 

 so amenable to forcing. They should be planted at 

 the rate of from three to five bulbs in a five-inch pot, 

 according to the size of the bulbs. After planting, 

 the pots should be plunged in ashes or cocoa-fibre 

 until they have made root-growth, when they may be 

 brought in as required and subjected to gentle forcing. 

 Watering must be carefully attended to at this time. 

 When a number of flowers are required for jardinettes, 

 etc., the Tulips may be grown closely together in 

 boxes. When they show colour, they may be lifted 

 with roots intact, and planted in moss in the recep- 

 tacles in which they are required. 



The most valuable Tulips for early work are the early 

 Dutch varieties, many of which are very beautiful and 



