BULBOUS FLOWERS. 



49 



and flower-buds begin to peep above-ground, this precau- 

 tion becomes the more necessary, as the future bloom 

 might be seriously injured, or even destroyed, by exposure 

 to an inclement spring. Valuable collections, during 

 their flowering, are mostly sheltered by an awning ; after- 

 wards, the sun and air are allowed to exert their full in- 

 fluence. The immature capsules are broken off, to pre- 

 vent exhaustion of the bulb, unless it be desired to ripen 

 seed. When the leaves are completely withered, the 

 bulbs are carefully taken up : it is dangerous to expose 

 them to burning sunshine. At the same time they must 

 be thoroughly dried, before final storing in some airy place, 

 in their box-compartments, where also they can be safe 

 from mice. Offsets will mostly come away better at a 

 later period. 



These offsets eventually become bulbs that produce 

 flowers identical with those of their parent. Tulips 

 raised from seed bloom in their fourth or fifth summer ; 

 and if the seed has been well selected, there is a chance 

 of obtaining from out a large number, a few good and 

 novel varieties. Their tints will be at first confused ; 

 but in succeeding seasons, they will gradually break, and 

 become clear and distinct. This transitional state of the 

 tulip (during which it is called a " Baguette ") lasts from 

 two to fifteen years. 



When the capsules of tulips allowed to bear seed 

 begin to open at the top, they are cut off, and kept till 

 September or October. Sow them on a bed, or a large 

 earthen pan, of light rich soil, and cover them lightly 

 with leaf-mould half an inch thick. The first year, they 

 will put forth a single leaf. When this is withered, the 

 surface of the mould may be renewed. The second sum- 

 mer, they may be taken up, to be replanted immediately 

 in tulip compost. The third year they may be treated 

 like offsets. All this while they must be carefully 

 weeded, and protected from the inclemency of the sea- 

 sons. If a seedling is a year behindhand in showing 

 bloom, it promises all the better for that circumstance. 

 In other cases, a tulip of the highest merit will put forth 



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