THE ENGLISH OR FLORIST'S TULIP. 



153 



' Masterpiece ' is a very old feathered Bizarre, with a thoroughly hud 

 shape: the three outer petals are apt to have an ugly hump, while the 

 inner ones hook in together. It is also one of the most inconstant 

 Tulips grown, and the grower may be satisfied if more than one in 

 twenty is anything better than ugly. But when ' Masterpiece ' is caught 

 right, it is still worthy of its name, so superb is the black feathering on 

 the brilliant yellow ground. Sometimes it can be shown as a flamed 

 flower. It is a free grower, cheap and abundant ; and despite; all its 



Fio. 55. Gnoui' Of Bbbbmos. 



inconstancy and bad shape every one must keep a good stock of it. 

 (Fig. 54.) 



'Samuel Barlow ' is perhaps the finest of the flamed liizarres, for it is 

 larger and more refined in its markings than 'Dr. Hardy,' and possesses 

 rather a better shape than ' Paxton.' It is a red Bizarre, with finely 

 pencilled red-brown markings on a good yellow ground. The base might 

 be larger and the petals would be better for more substance ; still it is a 

 noble flower of great size and quality. It is early in bloom, but stands 

 well. It sometimes comes rather too lightly flamed, " short of work," 

 and even makes a good "feather," but as a rule it is a very constant 

 flamed flower. Vigorous, but not very free, nor over-plentiful as yet. 



' Sir Joseph Paxton.' — For fifty years this has been the leading Bizarre, 



