180 THE TULIP. 



distance between the rows should be nine inches, and 

 from bulb to bulb in the row seven, the depth four. 



After the bed is lined and marked out, the most 

 simple method of planting them is, to get a blunted 

 dibber, with a circular mark round it, or a nail driven 

 in it, at the distance of about five inches from the 

 end, which will direct you how deep you are to make 

 the holes, into each of which you are to put a little 

 sea or river sand, before you set the bulbs in ; this 

 helps to keep them dry in the winter, as the rain- 

 water passes through it, and improves likewise their 

 coat or external skin. It is not customary to give 

 them water in any stage of their growth ; as soon as 

 they are out of flower, break off the seed cup, to 

 encourage the growth of the bulb. 



Van Oosten, whom I mentioned before, says, 

 ' The florist who wishes to observe proper arrange- 

 ( ment of height, and a pleasing mixture and variety 

 ' in the bed, should have a box of convenient length 

 ' and breadth, to put as many tulips in as his bed will 

 '* contain, and this box must be divided into as many 

 f compartments as bulbs ; which are to be put in the 



