62 CULTIVATION". 



mere random proceeding ; it should certainly be 

 adopted where there is much to do ; though any 

 thing on a small scale may be done accurately 

 enough without either boarding or strike. 



In preparing the bulbs for planting, it is re- 

 commended by some writers to divest them not 

 only of their offsets, but also of the brown in- 

 tegument with which they are covered. I never 

 heard, nor am I aware of any good reason for 

 this ; and therefore think it a refinement amongst 

 florists which may just as well be omitted. If 

 the bulbs be sound, and free from any loose re- 

 mains of the last year's bulb, it is enough *. 



In general, it is the practice to have either 

 seven, five, or only three rows on a tulip-bed. 

 The largest bulbs, or rather the tallest growers, 

 are placed in the middle row ; the intermediate 

 next ; and the dwarf, or lowest growers, at the 

 sides of the bed. 



* There is one reason given for divesting the bulb of the 

 brown covering, viz. that it sometimes prevents the protru- 

 sion of the side roots. 



