120 tulips. [Ocfo&er. 
strong in growth, frequently growing over three feet in 
height, with cups sufficiently large to satisfy the greatest 
Bacchus. All writers agree that Tulip beds should be 
" four feet wide ;" though I think three and a half will be 
found more convenient, and, in length, according to the 
number of roots to be planted. The soil should consist of 
good fresh loam, mixed with a small portion of well-rotted 
stable-manure, at least two years old. The whole should be 
incorporated together four months pi-evious to using. The 
common soil should be taken out sixteen inches deep, and 
filled with the above compost. Raise the beds not less than 
three inches above the paths at the outside, and about six or 
eight inches in the middle ; this convexity will assist in 
throwing off the water in times of heavy and continued rains. 
The bed thus formed, plant the bulbs in rows, lengthwise on 
the bed, about six inches from bulb to bulb, and seven inches 
from row to row. The bed may be marked out by straining 
a line very tight, lengthwise on the bed, and beating it with 
the back of the spade, leaving a lined groove along the ground. 
Then, with a lath four feet long, let the bed be marked across 
at six inches distance, so as to leave distinct impressions at 
each crossing of the ground-lines ; for these will form the 
spots where the bulbs are to be planted, by means of a dibber, 
made larger than the largest bulb, and flattened at the end. 
The holes are to be made four inches deep, and about half an 
inch of sharp sand ought to be dropped in each. The centre 
line ought to be planted with the tallest kinds, and the out- 
side of the bed with the lowest. In severe frosts they should 
be protected by boards or branches. Tulips have ever been 
held in the highest estimation. As early as 1037 history 
records one hundred and twenty Tulips being sold at public 
auction for no less a sum than nine thousand guilders, equal to 
thirty-six hundred dollars; and in England, at the present 
day, a good collection is valued at five thousand dollars. 
Florists generally divide them into three classes, viz., first, 
Byftloemens, such as have a white ground, variegated with 
purple, as Bienfait, or WasMnyton, so., secondly, Bizarres, 
having a j^ellow ground variegated with scarlet, purple, rose, 
or velvet, as Trafalgar, Due dc Savoie, ,&c. j and, thirdly, 
lioses with white ground, variegated with rose, scarlet, or 
crimson, as La Tcndrvsse, Rose miynonne, &c. 
