in 1637 decided to stop this sort of thing and 

 published their decision bv giving out a procla- 

 mation. Hence the cultivation of tulips could be 

 developed along normal lines, what indeed hap- 

 pened. After many ups and downs the present 

 high standard was attained, and whosoever 

 visits in spring the Dutch bulb nurseries must 

 be struck as well by the wealth in form and 

 colour, as well as by the long flowering season. 



As early as 1585 we find a description of the 

 Hyacinth by Clusius; and in 1612 the double 

 Hyacinth was known. Unlike the tulip who became 

 the favourite of the flower-lovers in a few years, 

 the Hyacinth took longer time before she attai- 

 ned her so well deserved position. But in the j 

 years 1734 1736, the same happened with the 

 Hvacinth as a century previously with the Tulip; 

 the Hyacinth became gradually the favourite, 

 high prices ware paid and it was feared that the 

 trade should degenerate in the same way as had 

 hanpened with the Tulip trade. Very luckily it 

 did not become as bad as that, and soon normal 

 conditions prevailed. Troughout the last two 

 centuries the Hyacinth has maintained its high 

 position in the flower world, and by enormous 

 improvements in the cultivation have the Dutch 

 bulbgrowers brought the Hvacinth within the 

 ranpe of a still growing number of flower lovers. 



One of the first known bulbs is the Narcissus, 

 although its cultivation only started in the 16th 



century. As early as 370 B. C. the Narcissus was 

 mentioned! But only since the end of the 19th: 

 century the bulb-growers devoted their full 

 attention to the Narcissus and it is astonishing 

 to see the results ! The growers have made 

 enormous strides, and they are still going on 

 making a great variety in shape and coulour. 

 There are already ,,Trumpet" narcissi, with pink 

 trumpets; Cupshaped narcissi, with bright red 

 cups. The modern Narcissus belongs to the 

 nobelest and best of whatever is produced in the 

 open. 



Most of the bulbs, apart from the three kinds 

 already mentioned, have their own history more 

 or less short, more or less interesting. The scope 

 of this little book however, does not allow me to 

 go deeper into the matter. 



The cultivation of bulbs in Holland has gra- 

 dually become a thing of national importance. 

 Thousands and thousands of people earn their 

 living with it. Everything is done to get the most 

 perfect results, to attain the highest quality so 

 as to keep up the high standard that Dutch 

 bulbs always had. 



To make it possible to deliver bulbs of 

 superior quality, every precaution is taken, 

 nothing is left to chance. It is astonishing to hear 

 about the enormous capitals involved, to see the 

 specially planned sheds and store-houses. The 

 composition of the soil, and manuring is treated 



