186 BULBS AND THEIR CULTIVATION. 



bloom that is to receive the pollen must be removed directly 

 the flower opens. The bloom must be carefully watched, and 

 directly the stigma or female organ is seen to be ccated with 

 a moist sticky substance, the pollen grains must be removed 

 by means of a camel-hair brush from the anthers of the other 

 plants and applied to the stigma, afterwards replacing the 

 muslin to prevent foreign pollen being conveyed by insects. 

 In a few hours, or a day or so, the pollen grains will germi- 

 nate, force their tube-like appendage down the interior of the 

 pistil, pierce the ovule, or embryo seed, in the ovary, and 

 thus impregnate it with the peculiar virtues which in due 

 course will make itself manifest in the offspring. The same 

 course has to be pursued in obtaining a hybrid between two 

 species or a cross-bred between two varieties of the same 

 species. 



11 Cut Flowers." Flowers requir id for decorative purposes 

 or for exhibition should always be cut early in the morning 

 whilst the dew is upon them, or late in the evening. The 

 early morning before 8 a.m. is the best period. Never cut 

 flowers during the middle of the day. Flowers maintain their 

 freshness longer if cut before they are fully developed. Nar- 

 cissi, indeed, should be cut when about half developed. They 

 will gradually attain full development after placing in water. 

 If required for exhibition store in a cool cellar. To keep 

 flowers fresh place a pinch of salt or a piece of charcoal in 

 the water, and cut off a :hin slice from the base of the stems 

 every morning. Change the water daily. 



" Daffodil." A term applied to the section of narcissi which 

 have their coronas 'or trumpets nearly as long or longer than 

 the perianth segments, as Emperor, Cyclamineus, etc. 



" Darwin " Tulip. A race of self-coloured tulips of Flemish 

 origin said to be derived from Tulipa gesneriana. Blooms 

 goblet or cup-shaped, stems very long, and colours of all shades 

 of rose, scarlet, maroon, purple, black, violet, and white. 



" Dolly-cup " Narcissi. A term applied t9 a section of nar- 

 cissi N. Burbidgeii, Engleheartii, and poeticus which have a 

 corona or cup in depth less than one-quarter the length of the 

 perianth segments, 



" Dragon " Tulip A term synonymous with " Parrot," which 

 see. 



"Feathered" Tulip. A term applied to "rectified" or 

 "broken" tulips, and that have the colour of the edges only 

 of their petals distinctly pencilled or feathered. 



"Flamed" Tulip A term applied to "rectified" or 



" broken " tulips, that have their petals, in addition to 

 " feathered " edges, prettily marked with bold streaks or bands 

 of colour distinct from the ground colour. The streaks or 

 bands must commence at the base of the petal and radiate 

 upwards to the "feathered" edges. 



