286 



BULBS AXD TUBEROUS-BOOTED PLANTS. 



color, abruptly broken into many irregular, obtuse points. 

 Some florists are of the opinion that the central stripes 

 or blotches do not contribute to the beauty and elegance 

 of the Tulip, unless confined to narrow stripes exactly 

 down the center, and that they should be perfectly free 

 from any remains of the breeder or original color. It is 

 certain that such appear very beautiful and delicate, 

 especially when they have a regular, narrow feathering 

 at the edge ; but the greatest connoisseurs in this flower 

 unanimously agree that it denotes superior merit, when 

 the Tulip abounds with rich coloring, distributed in a 

 distinct and regular manner throughout the flower, 

 except in the bottom of the cup, which, it cannot be dis- 

 puted, should be a clear, bright white or yellow, free 

 from stain or tinge, in order to constitute a perfect 

 flower. 



These views are from the highest standpoint of the 

 florists' skill and taste; we give them to show the 

 thought that has been given the Tulip in the way of 

 selection, without, for a moment, departing from our 

 original opinion, that the most natural form is the most 

 beautiful form. And then, again, are not the florists' 

 forms simply a selection of natural forms, so long as 

 they are normal; that is, capable of reproduction by 

 nature's own processes ? The Late Flowering, or Show 

 Tulips are classified as follows : 



Bybloemen. — This has white ground, lined, marked, 

 striped or variegated with violet or purple, only of vari- 

 ous shades, and whether feathered or flamed, is distin- 

 guished by the same characters and marks as the Bizarre 

 Tulip. 



Bizarre. — D is tin guish ed by yellow grounds, marked 

 with purple or scarlet of different shades. It is called 

 "flamed," when a broad, irregular stripe runs up the 

 middle of the petals, with short, abrupt, projecting 

 points branching out on each side ; fine narrow lines, 



