CULTURE OF THE TULIP. 
161 
The taste for tulips in England appears to have arrived at its climax about the end 
of the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth centuries, and they still remain 
flowers of considerable value amongst florists, for, according to Mr. Hogg, a moderate 
collection of choice bulbs cannot now be purchased for a much less sum than 1000/. 
at the usual prices. 
Tulips are divided by florists into three classes, viz. 1st, Bybloemens , such as 
have a white ground, variegated with purple, the edges well feathered, the leaflets 
of the perianthium erect, and the whole forming a well shaped cup, as Bienfait, 
Washington, Incomparable, Baguet, &c. 2nd, Bizarres, having a yellow ground, 
variegated with scarlet, purple, rose or velvet, well feathered round the edge, as 
Catafalque, Trafalgar, Due de Savoie, &c. And 3rd, Roses , with white ground, 
variegated with rose colour, scarlet, or crimson. 
The methods of propagation are by seeds for new varieties, and offsets to per- 
petuate the old. When it is wished to propagate by seed, always — 
1. Select such plants to produce it as have good strong stems, with well formed 
cups, and the most perfect flowers in colour, as Trafalgar, Incomparable, Bienfait, 
Surpasse, Catafalque, Walworth, &c. 
2. The plants thus selected should always be exposed to the weather, as shading 
will prevent the seed coming to proper perfection. 
3. Always allow the seed to remain on the stem until the seed-vessels open, and 
in gathering cut off about six inches of the stem with the head, and spread the 
whole in a situation where they gradually dry. 
4. The best time to sow these seeds is in October. For this purpose, take 
some shallow pans or boxes, and fill them with light sandy loam, making an even 
surface to receive the seeds, which must be covered about half an inch deep with 
light soil, mixed with about one-third of rotten horse-dung, and they will be up in 
March the following year. 
5. As the bulbs are very small the first year, the leaves will die about the beginning 
of June: it is necessary to allow them to remain in the boxes without being disturbed 
for two years. They are in general five or six years from the time of sowing before 
they flower. After the second year they will require taking up, and planting in 
good new soil every season. 
6. Offsets . — Always separate the offsets previous to the bulbs being put away in 
the case or bags, and carefully keep each choice sort to itself. 
7. In November plant the offsets which are not likely to flower in a bed to 
themselves, after the same manner as that recommended below for old roots, except 
that they need not be planted so far apart ; three inches are sufficient. 
8. Flowering beds .— -The situation of the beds for full-grown flowering bulbs 
should always be in an open, airy part of the garden. Take out the common soil 
the full dimensions of the bed, to about the depth of eighteen inches, and fill up 
the place with good sandy loam, from an old pasture (which should be dug at least 
four months before it is used), mixed with a small portion of well-rotted horse- 
dung, at least two years old. 
