GARDEN TULIP. 61 



on the strike, and at these points small staples, 

 one above the other, are fixed on the face of the 

 strike ; these receive seven small pegs, or dib- 

 bers, which, when the strike is put down at each 

 mark regulating the distances between the cross 

 rows (the same as that between the long rows), 

 marks the exact places of the bulbs. 



The roots, being placed, are now covered up 

 with the proper compost, which is usually of a 

 lighter description than that in the bottom, and 

 the surface is smoothed off by the strike reversed; 

 the upper edge of which, for this operation, is also 

 cut with a curve, having shoulders at each end 

 taking in the whole width of the bed and side- 

 boards ; upon and against which the shoulders 

 slide, while the strike is moved onward to take 

 off the redundant covering, leaving the surface 

 about three inches higher along the middle than 

 at the sides. 



From this description, an idea may be had of 

 how easily and expeditiously the planting is done. 



Such a mechanical method of planting and 

 arranging a flower-bed is certainly preferable to 



