1894.] ESSAYS. 45 



circumstances it is necessary to lift them before tlie leaves turn. 

 There is no danger of injury to the bulbs when lifted soon after the 

 petals drop, if properly done. They are removed to some perfectly 

 dry shed and covered with earth for eight or ten days. At the expira- 

 tion of that time they will luive ripened fully, the leaves and roots 

 will have become dry and the bulbs ready to clean and store. 



In Holland, when it is desired to produce blooms of the greatest 

 excellence for exhibition, great care is given to the preparation of the 

 beds. The natural earth is removed to the depth of 18 inches; six 

 inches in depth of manure is first put in and the bed is then filled with 

 a mixture of old manure, loam, and sand which has been turned fre- 

 quently in sunny weather to kill the worms. Sifted sand surrounds 

 the bulbs, which are planted in October four inches deep. Before 

 being set the skin is slightly raised from the base of the bulbs to per- 

 mit the roots to escape more freely. As the season of flowering 

 approaches a raised covering is put over the beds so that the flowers 

 are protected from injury by rain and direct sunlight. In this way 

 they are made to last in bloom as long as a carnation, and their size 

 and color are enhanced and intensified. The history of the tulip is an 

 interesting one, and although the time is long ago past when fortunes 

 were spent in the purchase of a few coveted bulbs, their real beauty 

 and w'orth have never been more generally acknowledged than at the 

 present time. 



Much might be added of interest regarding the cultivation of the 

 narcissus, crocus, lily, and other bulbs in Holland, if time permitted, 

 l)ut the varieties described must sufHce at this time, and I hope some 

 of the remarks may have proved of interest. 



