THE TULIP. 183 



As soon as the stems are nearly withered away, 

 take up the bulbs on a cloudy day, place them in 

 shallow wooden boxes, or on boarded floors, to dry, 

 and let them have sun and air. Brick or stone floors 

 are fatal to them; they will contract a dampness, 

 and a mildew that will destroy them. Let them be 

 arranged singly, and not one upon another. I have 

 seen a quantity of common Tulips thrown into a 

 hamper with a lid over when taken up, and in forty- 

 eight hours they have heated and rotted, and bred 

 maggots. 



After the fibres are completely withered, rub them 

 off gently, and pluck the dead stem from the bulb ; 

 then put them away in some dry place till the plant- 

 ing season again comes round. These are all the 

 directions which I conceive necessary for the culture 

 of the Tulip. 



