i6 
BARR’S BEAUTIFUL “ENGLISH AMATEUR” TULIPS. 
the self-coloured Tulip in its first stage is, so to speak, but the canvas prepared for the painting, and when in 
due course the colours are mixed and the picture completed, it is one that will not fade under the hand of time. 
For a long time it seemed as if they would have no trade home ; but a colony, and not a small one, has 
been formed at Long Ditton in Messrs. Barr & Son’s grounds of Daffodil fame. If Mr. William Barr can do 
for and with these Tulips a tithe of what the energetic and devoted head of the firm did for the Daffodil, he will 
make himself a name that will not soon be forgotten. The young fancier is enthusiastic, diligent, and careful, 
as was evident when note was taken on a sultry day of 5000 or 6000 individual blooms, under the cool guidance 
of a veteran (Dr. Hogg). 
Condensed from the Jourtial of Horticulture , May 4th, 1893 : — 
The Dutch Florists’ Tulips are wholly distinct from and distinctly inferior to the type of “ English Amateur" 
Tulips. This is plainly seen when extensively grown in comparison, as in Messrs. Barr & Son’s Collection. 
It may be asked, “ Why are not these ‘ English Amateur’ Tulips more popular? Because there has been 
no attempt to popularize them. Connoisseurs as a body have valued them for their rarity, and have not 
willingly let them "go.” Years of unremitting care in their preservation, following years of waiting from the 
flowering of seedlings to the breaking from the self-coloured or breeder stage into the flames of colour or 
feathered fringes that come to stay (see Woodcuts), and give life-long pleasure to those who own and cherish 
them. Is there much wonder that they should be jealously guarded. 
The choicer and rarer named varieties of “ English Amateur ” Tulips have hitherto been difficult to 
obtain, but Mr. Peter Barr has taken them in hand, and the same energy, perseverance, and knowledge which, 
from the smallest of beginnings, resulted in the world-famed collection of Daffodils, is bound to have effect 
in a very material way in inciting public interest in our " English Amateur ” Tulips. 
Mr. Barr is a believer in the dictum that the supply of anything good creates a demand, as his 
“English Amateur" Tulips come from the best sources and are increased at Long Ditton, where they now 
number many thousands. The demand for bulbs last year was good, and has given an impetus to production. 
The Long Ditton Collection is in full beauty now (early in May), and the collection, while full of interest 
to experts, affords valuable lessons for learners. Day by day, from far and near, come old florists and young 
aspirants to view them. Every flower is scanned, its points noted, and merits or defects recorded. 
Extracted, from the letter of an Amateur grower of “ English Amateur" Tulips: — “ Ever since you were 
here I have been noting and criticising my Tulips, and to such an extent has the subject grown upon me I am 
quite as daft on the subject as ever you were on the Daffodils." 
Condensed from the Journal of Horticulture , May 10th, 1894: — 
“English Amateur" Tulips are the most brilliant of all the hardy flowers of early summer, and there 
is hope that their claims to attention will not be so completely ignored in the future as they have been in the 
comparatively recent past in the southern parts of England, for in the north there have always been a number of 
connoisseurs who have devoted great attention to and derived an extraordinary amount of pleasure from their 
Tulip beds and shows. 
That a revival in public interest is being awakened in these brilliant, chaste, and refined flowers is apparent. 
Information respecting them is more generally sought for, and a demand for bulbs of approved varieties is 
springing up. Mr. Peter Barr, with his acute intuitiveness and boundless energy, is trying to meet the demand 
(or shall we say create it ?) by increasing his supplies, and amateurs who have become fascinated by their flowers 
are influencing others in the same direction, while the once seldom-heard-of Florists’ Tulips are now recognized 
by the Royal Horticultural Society. Tulip shows have done much to teach those who visit them wherein the 
beauty consists of the blooms that stir the souls of those who love because they understand them. 
Undoubtedly one of the best private schools for instruction to be found is a Tulip bed, not a mere mass of 
flaming flowers such as may be seen in hundreds of gardens ; but a genuine canvas-covered Tulip bed, planted 
on recognized cross lines ot seven bulbs in a row, no more and no less, of bizarres, bybloemens, roses, and so on 
from end to end, every variety cherished for some precious possession, and of course all named. But Tulip beds 
are not everywhere to be found. We may have to travel miles to see one ; but to the novice there is the fresh- 
ness of novelty to repay him, and he discovers how much there is to learn, also what a fund of interest Tulips 
possess, and the extraordinary pleasure they give to their owners. The writer has now had four Tulip lessons 
in as many years, and the dates impart a lesson. The first visit was June 6th, 1891 ; the second June 3rd, 1892; 
the third April 29th, 1893 ; and the last May 5th, 1894. This at once indicates the relative earliness and lateness 
of the seasons, for Tulips are emphatically children of the sun, and come only at his bidding. 
When a really good collection of Tulips is in the market it would seem as if all the world of fanciers were 
after it, and the disposal can only be determined by amicable division, so strong is the desire for their possession. 
The outside world cannot understand this, simply because outsiders — the unlearned in Tulip attributes — do not 
understand what is to the cognoscenti the rarest gems in the floral world. 
For decorative purposes late Tulips of the section under notice are highly effective by their chaste or rich 
markings, even if defective in certain points as viewed from the florists’ ideal. Mixed unnamed collections 
impart beauty to the garden, while affording opportunity for studying the flowers. In this way the eye becomes 
educated, and in time collections are formed to be cherished ; but some named varieties of high repute are 
scarce, and prized the more by those who are fortunate in possessing them. Still, many fine named varieties are 
sufficiently plentiful to be sold at moderate prices, and are as beautiful as some of the rarer sorts, so that price 
is often more an indication of rarity than of superior beauty. 
BARR S BEAUTIFUL “ ENCLISH AJYIATEUR ” TULIPS. 
Awarded by the R. f/.S. a Silver Flora Medal , May qth ; and a Silver Cup, May 2$<h, 1893/ and 
May 8 Ih, 1894, awarded a Silver Gilt Flora Medal by the R.//.S. 
Explanation of the terms Rectified and Breeder Tulips. — Rectified Tulips arc those in which the original 
seedling self-colour has changed into a Jlamed or feathered variegation. Breeder Tulips urc those which are still in their 
original seedling self-coloured state, hut may at any time become Rectified. 
BARR’S SELECTIONS OF ENGLISH AMATEUR TULIPS, Bizarres, ByblCBmens, & Roses. 
36 In 36 Beautiful Vars. of Rectified Tulips, 66/ or 76/ 
25 in 26 „ „ „ „ 33/, 42/ or 63/ 
12 in 12 „ „ „ „ 12/, 15/, 21/ or 30/ 
18 in 18 Beautiful Vars. of Breeder Tulips, 42/ 
12 in 12 „ „ „ „ 25/ or 32/ 
6 in 6 „ „ „ „ 6/ to 18/ 
BARR'S BEAUTIFUL MIXTURE of ENGLISH AMATEUR TULIPS, In GREAT VARIETY.. .p. 100, 21/; p. doz. 3/ 
For Old Scotch and Old Dutch Mixtures of Florist Tulips, sec_Gcncral Bulb Catalogue, page 13. 
[Barr and Son, 
