184 The Tulip. 



whether it is from a natural taste for the blending of colors, 

 we have always enjoyed the view of a good tulip bed, though 

 the opportunities have been few — and, indeed with the excep- 

 tion of the bed formed by our friend, Mr. Walker, and that 

 displayed in the gardens some years since ; but little opportunity 

 has been given for the encouragement of a taste for the tulip. 

 Even now we well recollect the satisfaction we first experi- 

 enced in the view of the bed formed by Mr. Walker, and the 

 delight we found in the discovery, or the supposed discovery, 

 of some of our old pictured favorites, especially the dark sorts 

 almost black and gold. 



We should hardly know at present where to enjoy the treat 

 of a good tulip bed, (provided we are unsuccessful in its cul- 

 tivation,) unless our neighbors, the Messrs Breck, have been 

 enabled to form one out of the wreck of that of the public 

 garden. Indeed, we fear that few of our best florists know 

 what constitutes a good flower, and in what manner the best 

 effect can be produced in planting out a bed of tulips. 



The best form for a perfect tulip, is perhaps more generally 

 known, which is that of from one third to one half of a hol- 

 low ball ; but as to its compactness, the cleanness of its stripes, 

 the still better quality of opening well without quartering, 

 many of us are, doubtless, ignorant. 



There is another important point which, perhaps, has been 

 overlooked in the few beds formed in this city and vicinity, 

 and that is in the disposition of the flowers in the beds, in or- 

 der to produce the best eflect. A very common bed, well ar- 

 ranged, will appear to better advantage than a superior one 

 ill arranged. In order to do this, a large variety of flowers is, 

 by no means, necessary, but only duplicates of good clean 

 sorts. Then suppose a bed of seven rows, and the middle 

 row to be of the tallest and most grand varieties ; then on 

 each side of this row, the varieties in both rows are to be the 

 same as regards each, but entirely different from the centre 

 one. The next two rows also, each side of the three rows are 

 to be the same, but different again from the three centre rows, 

 and so on, so that the outer rows of the bed will be just alike, 

 unless there are some odd flowers which may be placed on the 

 outside, provided they have short stems — but if long, they 

 may be placed in the centre. In this way, the arrangement of 



