264 FLOWER GARDEN. 
excellence is somewhat factitious; for, to an uninstructed 
eye, though practiced in the contemplation of other sorta 
of beauty, a tulip, which by them is looked upon as worth- 
less, will often appear as fine as the choicest variety in the 
select bed. Fine tulips are so numerous that it is scarcely 
possible to name the most desirable. Among the bizarres, 
the King, Polyphemus, and Everard, are highly prized. 
Tulips prosper in a prepared compost of light turfy 
soil, richly manured with well-rotted cow-dung. Twenty 
inches depth of soil should be removed, and the vacant 
space filled up with compost. Some use alternate layers 
of light soil and cow-dung, The bed should be filled up 
with compost about the middle of October, and in a fort- 
night, when the soil has subsided, the bulbs are planted in 
rows, distant seven or eight inches, and at the depth of 
about three inches. <A little clean sand may be put 
around the bulbs. After planting, the bed may be covered 
over with tan, as in the case of hyacinths. In spring, itis 
necessary to shield the leaves and flower-stalks from frost, 
and also from heavy rains ; and when in bloom, the flowers 
should be sheltered from the sun’s rays, by which they are 
speedily injured. A canvas awning, so mounted on a 
frame that it can be easily withdrawn and replaced, is re- 
quisite for every fine collection. The tulip is often 
regarded as scentless; but this is a mistake, for when con- 
centrated under the awning, the odor is very perceptible. 
After the sepals have fallen, the seed-vessels are broken 
off close by the stem, to prevent the plant from exhausting 
itself in perfecting seed, and to direct its energies to the 
forming of the new bulb. When the leaves have withered, 
the bulbs are taken up, dried, and stored, until the plant- 
ing season come round. 
Tulips are readily propagated by offsets, which are taken 
