3Tf)e Ssumnrer iflotoers. 151 



freely among the poppies, the luxuriant foliage 

 of the latter concealing the naked base of the 

 tulips. A mass of tulips thus grown produces 

 a much finer effect than when bedded by them- 

 selves. The tulip invariably looks better in neg- 

 lected gardens for this reason ; it is seldom seen 

 rising from the bare earth, generally springing 

 from the grass or shrubbery, or at least having 

 a background of green. Seeds of these big Ori- 

 entals should be sown in February in the green- 

 house, so that they may germinate early, be 

 pricked off, and form strong plants to set out as 

 soon as possible in May. While they are per- 

 fectly hardy, small plants are generally winter- 

 killed. I find growing among my P. bractea- 

 tum, raised from seed, a distinct variety with 

 smaller flowers of a peculiar and very beautiful 

 cherry-red. 



We must go to the Orientals to learn the 

 true use and significance of flowers. "Very 

 beautiful are the flower-customs here," says a 

 writer from the lands of Kalidasa and Firdusi. 

 " In Bombay, I found the Parsees use the Victo- 

 ria Gardens chiefly to walk in, ' to eat the air.' 

 Their enjoyment of it was heartily animal. The 

 Hindoo would stroll through them, attracted 

 from flower to flower not by its form or color 

 but its scent. He would pass from plant to 



