FLOWERS 



409 



three or more bulbs being set in a pot, with the necks of the 

 bulbs at the surface of the soil. A succession of plantings 

 in pots will yield a succession of flowers throughout the 

 winter. 



117. Tulip. The tulips are natives of the oriental coun- 

 tries and belong to the lily family (Liliaceae). The origin 

 of the common garden tulips (Fig. 74) is unknown, for they 

 had been long under cultivation by the Turks before they 

 came under the observation of other nations. The tulip 

 has a curious connection with the history 



of Holland, for its introduction into that 

 country resulted in the so-called " tulip- 

 craze" of the seventeenth century, a craze 

 which compelled the interference of the 

 government. Holland is still the center 

 of the development of tulip bulbs. 



The tulips, like the daffodils and jon- 

 quils, are early bloomers, and adapted to 

 cultivation in home gardens. The bulbs 

 are set out in the autumn, before severe 

 freezing, in sandy loam which is best en- 

 riched by leaf -mould and well drained. The 

 bulbs are planted about four inches deep 

 and four to five inches apart, and when the ground begins to 

 freeze the bed should be covered with leaves or other light 

 material. In the spring, when severe cold is over, the beds 

 are uncovered, and the plants will probably require no further 

 attention. In the selection of bulbs, it should be known that 

 the size of the bulb is not so important as an abundance of 

 fibrous roots. 



118. Aster. Asters are introduced here because they 

 are late bloomers, and belong to the end of the season, as 

 tulips, daffodils, and jonquils belong to the beginning of the 

 season. Asters belong to the composite family, along with 

 the chrysanthemum, and they are especially abundant as 



FIG. 74. A tulip. 



