188 Remarks on the cultivation of the Tulip. 



PLANTING. 



It is important that the planting should be done at the right 

 season, and in a proper manner. Towards the middle of Sep- 

 tember the surface of the bed should be rolled over and made 

 level, to ascertain whether too much or not enough soil is in 

 the bed, taking from or adding to as the case may be; bearing 

 in mind to keep the surface six inches above the walk, and 

 crowning. Between the 20th of October and the 10th of No- 

 vember choose a fine day to plant; commence in the morning 

 by removing about five inches of the soil from the top of the 

 bed, laying it aside, to be replaced when the bulbs have been 

 placed in their proper positions. The top of the bed (after 

 five inches of soil has been removed,) will be but a little above 

 the walks, which should be rolled over and crowned up in the 

 centre; after the bed has been thus prej)ared for planting the 

 bulbs, a small line should be placed about two inches from 

 the centre of the bed, extending from end to end, as a guide 

 for the planting-board, which should be marked to corres- 

 pond. The planting-board should be four feet long, six inch- 

 es wide, and marked and numbered thus, {fg- 9.) 



1st row. 2d row. 3d row. 4lli row. 5th row. 6th row. 7ih row. 



Place the board six inches from the end of the bed, with 

 row No. 4 exactly in the centre of the bed, and, of course, 

 two inches from the guide line. Every thing being thus ar- 

 ranged, commence planting by placing a bulb, in an upright 

 position, opposite each of the numbers; having done so, re- 

 move the board backwards six inches, and place another row 

 in the same manner, and continue so to do, until you have 

 completed your planting. Other pieces of board may be laid 

 upon the bed, which will enable the planter to stand on the 

 top, and in this manner, (although the work will proceed back- 

 wards,) yet it will be done to advantage, as the pressure on 

 the soil will promote the future growth of the bulbs. If the 

 soil be very rich or stiff, a tea-cup full of virgin soil, mixed 

 with a little coarse sand, may be placed around each bulb as 

 they are planted. After the bulbs have been thus placed, 

 they may be covered up with the soil taken from the top of 



