TULIP. 



295 



The Tulip is not at all particular as regards soil ; it 

 will grow to perfection in the light sand of Holland, 

 and we have had as large and handsome flowers as ever 

 grew, from bulbs in the heaviest clay. The only differ- 

 ence is that a light loamy or sandy soil can be kept in 

 better condition than a heavy one, and in such there 

 will be a more rapid increase. In preparing a bed for 

 Tulips, care should be taken to have it so shaped that it 

 will shed water, which is a greater injury to the bulbs 

 than frost, The soil should be worked deep and made 

 rich. It would be better to plant the bulbs in Septem- 

 ber ; but that is not practicable, as the space they are to 

 occupy is already filled with autumn flowers, which can- 

 not be disturbed until after frost. Therefore, planting 

 must be deferred until the ground is vacant, then put in 

 the bulbs without delay. If the soil is heavy, put the 

 bulbs three inches below the surface ; if light, put them 

 four inches below ; and six inches apart each way. If 

 protected, as they should be, rake off the covering as 

 soon as vegetation starts, as the Tulip is one of the first 

 plants to appear. It will well repay the cost to throw a 

 straw mat over the bed whenever there is danger of 

 freezing, to protect the buds, and remove the mat dur- 

 ing the day, whenever the weather will permit. When 

 the flowers appear, if they are protected from the sun by 

 a light canvas, say three or four feet above the flowers, 

 their period of bloom will be greatly lengthened. The 

 colors are generally better when not shaded, but a single 

 day's hot sun will greatly shorten their existence. As 

 soon as convenient after the flowers begin to fade, they 

 should be cut away and removed from the bed. "When 

 the leaves begin to turn yellow, take up the bulbs and 

 heel them in for a few days, or until they get thoroughly 

 dry; a partially shaded situation is preferable. After 

 they are dry, place them on a shelf for a few days, then 

 put them in paper bags until time for planting again 



