GARDEN TULIP. 55 



that the stronger the seedling grows, or rather, 

 the more leaves it has power to put forth in any 

 one year or years, the sooner will it present its 

 flower. All this time the anxious florist must 

 wait, and remain in ignorance whether, as Mr. 

 Hogg observes, he has got a prize, or only a 

 progeny of blanks ! 



It may be just remarked here, in respect of 

 seeds, that the choicest coloured flowers are bad 

 breeders, and that when they do yield seeds, 

 give offspring of less value in every respect than 

 such as are nearer to their natural state. This 

 circumstance seems to indicate, that the further 

 they are from their natural character, the less 

 powerful are they to perpetuate their respective 

 semblances. This, however, is not a singular 

 characterestic of the tulip; but is observable 

 in mLiny other instances amongst cultivated 

 plants. 



The propagation of tulips from seed is an 

 attempt that nothing but the ardent enthusiasm 

 of a thorough-bred florist could undertake. The 

 suspense of four or tive years would be intolera- 



