120 



TULIPS. 



[^October. 



strong in growth, frequently growing over three feet in 

 height, with cujds sufficiently large to satisfy the greatest 

 Bacchus. All writers agree that Tulip beds should be 

 ^' four feet wide -/^ though I think three and a half will be 

 found more convenient, and, in length, according to the 

 number of roots to be planted. The soil should consist of 

 good fresh loam, mixed with a small portion of well-rotted 

 stable manure, at least two years old. The whole should be 

 incorporated together four months previous to using. The 

 common soil should be taken out sixteen inches deep, and 

 filled with the above compost. Raise the beds not less than 

 three inches above the paths at the outside, and about six or 

 eight inches in the middle; this convexity will assist in 

 throwing off the water in times of heavy and continued 

 rains. The bed thus formed, plant the bulbs in rows, length- 

 wise on the bed, about six inches from bulb to bulb, and 

 seven inches from row to row. The bed may be marked out 

 by straining a line very tight, lengthwise on the bed, and 

 beating it with the back of the spade, leaving a lined groove 

 along the ground. Then, with a lath four feet long, let the 

 bed be marked across at six inches distance, so as to leave 

 distinct impressions at each crossing of the ground lines ; for 

 these will form the spots where the bulbs are to be planted, 

 by means of a dibber, made larger than the largest bulb, and 

 flattened at the end. The holes are to be made four inches 

 deep, and about half an inch of sharp sand ought to be dropped 

 in each. The centre line ought to be planted with the tallest 

 kinds, and the outside of the bed with the lowest. In se- 

 vere frosts they should be protected by boards or branches. 

 Tulips have ever been held in the highest estimation. As 

 early as 1637 history records one hundred and twenty Tulips 

 being sold at public auction for no less a sum than nine 

 thousand gilders, equal to thirty-six hundred dollars; and, 

 in England, at the present day, a good collection is valued 

 at five thousand dollars. Florists generally divide them into 

 three classes, viz., first, Byhloemem^ such as have a white 

 ground, variegated with purple, as Bienfait^ or Washington, 

 &c. ; secondly, Bizarres, having a yellow ground, variegated 

 with scarlet, purple, rose, or velvet, as Trafalgar, Due de 

 Savoie, &c. ; and, thirdly, Roses with white ground, varie- 

 gated with rose, scarlet, or crimson, as La TendressCj Rose 

 mignonne^ &c. 



