NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 14! 



of the sun. Of course shading is not absolutely necessary ; 

 but we think it pays for the trouble by the prolonged period 

 of blooming. The shades need only be kept on during the 

 hottest portion of the day, and during rough weather. 



The best planting season is about the second week in 

 May. Offsets may be planted a little sooner or later, as may 

 be convenient. 



Planting. The tallest should be in the centre of the 

 bed. This renders it necessary to plant them in rows length- 

 ways of the bed, and not across it. This being determined 

 upon, let the soil be levelled ; then with a hoe draw a drill- 

 the length of the bed, as nearly two inches deep as possible. 

 As soon as the drill is drawn, bring out all the tall growers', 

 and plant them, five inches apart, at the bottom of the drill r 

 giving each a gentle pressure. When the row is finished,- 

 thrust in at each end a strong stick, to mark where the row 

 of bulbs is when covered up. Cover up the bulbs by the 

 aid of a short-toothed rake. After that let the soil on each 

 side of the planted row be stirred up with a three-pronged 

 fork. Then set the line at the right distance from the centre 

 (we mentioned that the beds should be four feet wide,, 

 which would allow nine inches between each of the five 

 rows, and six inches next the edging) ; the line then must 

 be set at such a distance from the centre that the next row 

 of bulbs will be exactly nine inches apart from the centre 

 one. Draw the drill the same depth as the first, and plant 

 the next tallest flowers in it. Then mark the row with a 

 stick at each end, and so proceed till the whole is finished ;. 

 the lowest growers will then be next the paths all round the 

 bed. Each variety must be numbered. 



Taking up and Storing. As soon as the Tulips have done 

 blooming cut down the flower-stems, but do not injure the 

 leaves. When the leaves have turned yellow take up the 

 bulbs. If delayed some time, and the weather should be 

 wet, there is danger of their starting fresh roots, which, would 

 injure the bloom next year. When taken up, expose them 

 to the sun until they turn brown ; and when perfectly dry, 

 divide from the flowering bulbs all the offsets. They should 

 be kept in a cool dry room till the planting season arrives 

 again. Common varieties may be left in the ground all the 

 year round, but they will require lifting every two or three- 

 years for the purpose of thinning out, and renewing the soil- 



