182 THE TULIP. 



to be raised over them, and covered with stout Scotch 

 sheeting, reaching to the ground, to be drawn up and 

 let down with pulleys : by doing this you may keep 

 them in high condition for three weeks, during which 

 time you will have a full opportunity of gratifying 

 your friends with a view ; for the true enjoyment of 

 every pleasure is to share it with them. 



I conceive it unnecessary to mention, that if you 

 wish to preserve the beauty of their blossoms, you 

 must protect them against the sun, rain, and wind ; 

 at the same time, you must allow them all the air 

 possible, lest the stems be drawn up weak, and so 

 rendered unable to support the cups. 



The careful florist frequently runs a small cord 

 along the rows, and fastens the stems to it, just below 

 the cup, with green-coloured worsted : this has no 

 unpleasant appearance. 



The bulbs must be taken up every year ; for, if 

 they are suffered to remain two years together in the 

 ground, they become foul, and break into small in- 

 crease, so that it will be two or three years before 

 they can recover their size, and produce any good 

 blossoms. 



