342 THE PLEASURE, OR [April. 
It sometimes happens, and with some sorts more frequently 
than others, that two stems are produced from the same root, one 
is generally considerably taller than the other; when this is the 
case, the weaker may be cut off near the ground, soon after it 
makes its appearance, or suffered to bloom, and its bells be inter- 
mjxed with the lower ones of the taller stem, so dextrously as to ap- 
pear like one regular pyramid of bells. 
Tulips. 
Towards the end of this month, some of your choice tulips will 
begin to shew colour*; they should, when the greater part of the 
blossoms begin to open, be shaded from the sun, in the same man- 
ner as directed for your elegant hyacinths; for, when its heat is 
considerable, it will cause the colours to run and intermix, in such 
a manner, as to destroy the elegance and beauty of the flowers; 
some sorts are more particularly liable to this than others, and will 
be spoiled in five minutes. 
The awning should be always kept rolled up, or totally off, ex- 
cept when the sun is powerful: for if kept too long, or too closely 
covered, the colours of the flowers would become faint and weak, 
and the grandeur of effect would be lost, or considerably lessened. 
Strong winds are extremely injurious to tulips, when in flower, 
by dashing them against one another, and thereby bruising their 
petals; from the effects of which, they must be guarded, by letting 
down the awning at such times quite to the ground, on the windy 
side; a line of bass mats sewed together, and their upper edge 
nailed to the frame on that side, may answer the purpose, if the 
cloth is not of sufficient length. 
Tulips never require to be artificially watered, in the hottest and 
driest seasons, at any period from planting to taking up the roots; 
nevertheless, moderate rains will be very beneficial to them in 
spring, and cause them to produce a strong bloom; after flowering, 
too much wet is very prejudicial to the roots. Immediately after 
the flowers are on the decUne, the bed must be fully exposed to the 
open air. 
Lines of small twine, painted green, should pass from one end of 
the bed to the other, corresponding with the rows of flowers, fas- 
tened at the ends and middle to nice painted sticks, placed therein 
for that purpose; to these the stems of the flowers are to be loosely 
tied with short pieces of green worsted, which will preserve a pleas- 
ing regularity of appearance, without stiffness and formality. The 
covering may be continued, at the necessary intervals, for three 
weeks with safety; but continuing it too long, will injure them. 
When vacancies occur in the beds, by the decay of some roots, 
which might look awkward, you may immerse the lower end of the 
stems of flowers from other quarters, in phials, filled with water, 
and sunk into the bed, so as not to appear above ground; these will 
continue in bloom, when shaded, for several days, and may be re- 
placed with others, which will fill those vacancies, and make a tole- 
rable appearance. 
