64 CULTIVATION. 



gredieiits of a flower- compost. It becomes a 

 reservoir of humidity, from which exhalation is 

 ever rising", most refreshing to fibrils that des- 

 cend in quest of it. 



Having defended the plants from the rigours 

 of the winter and early spring months, the next 

 thing is preparing to give them the necessary 

 protection while they are advancing to, and con- 

 tinue in, bloom. The expedients for doing this 

 have already been adverted to : and, now the 

 collection being in full perfection, the different 

 distinctions of the varieties composing it are to 

 be noticed. 



Tulips are regarded in two grand divisions, 

 viz. early and late blowers. The former, though 

 they are the first to regale the eye, are the least 

 esteemed by the florist; because they are more 

 diminutive, more fugitive, and less richly varied 

 in colour. It is the latter description on which 

 so much care and admiration are bestowed, and 

 to which our observations specially refer. It is 

 divided into grades by the florist, and dis- 

 tinguished by the names following, viz.— 1. Byb- 



