110 THE TULIP. 



bulb ; and the raiser of a new and really fine tulip is sure 

 to find a profit in the operation. 



All our garden tulips, that is, " show varieties," are the 

 offspring of T. Gesneriana. The other species, however, 

 are very curious, and some very beautiful, and are well 

 worthy of a place in the garden. 



While volumes have been written upon the culture of the 

 tulip, its successful growth is by no means difficult. The 

 beds are usually prepared four feet wide, and excavated 

 about thirty inches deep : about six inches of well-rotted 

 horse or sheep dung is placed in the bottom, and the bed 

 filled up, about four inches above the former level, with 

 light rich soil. In this the bulbs are planted in October, 

 six inches from each other, and so deep that the point 

 of the bulb is two inches below the surface ; the holes 

 being made with a common dibble, and filled in with fine 

 sand, in which the bulb is to be planted. 



The bulbs should be set with reference to their habit ; the 

 tall growers in the middle, and those of lower growth on 

 the outside. During winter, the bed should be covered 

 with a layer of coarse litter or tan, to protect the bulbs 

 from severe frost. This should be removed in early spring, 

 and the surface of the ground gently stirred. As the 



