THE TULIP. 
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the only proper way to raise good flowers is to 
grow no bad ones. The seed should be sown 
in boxes or pans, or large pots — we prefer the 
latter — any time between October and Feb- 
ruary, and be placed under a frame and glass ; 
or if there be sufficient, a frame may be filled 
up or prepared on purpose. Place the frame on 
the ground, fill it within three inches of the 
top edge with well-sirted compost, such as is 
recommended for beds, and in the same sloping 
direction as the glass, or top edge of the frame; 
sow thinly all over the surface ; sift over the 
seeds to the thickness of a quarter of an inch; 
cover from frost and heavy falls, but in fine 
weather let them have all the air, and a mild 
shower whenever it comes. Here they may 
remain with no other care than watering and 
weeding, until the leaves die down, when the 
small bulbs, not larger than peas, must be very 
carefully taken up, and when all have been 
taken that can be obtained in the ordinary 
way, the top three inches should be sifted in a 
fine sieve, when others, not seen at first, will 
be found among the small lumps and stones 
left in the sieve. These, after being out a 
month or so, may be planted in a bed made up 
for the purpose ; put them in drills not more 
than two inches apart in the row, and 
the rows may be three, four, or six inches 
apart, for the sake of the more easily keeping 
the bed clear of weeds ; they should be planted 
at the depth of two inches. The following 
year they may be planted three inches apart 
in the row, and the year after four inches. To 
grow seedlings profusely, they ought, from the 
very first year, to be kept in separate bags, 
with their offsets, for some will be found with 
such the very first season after the seed year, 
and we have often taken up two little bulbs, 
one below the other, the very year they were 
sown. About the fifth, sixth, and seventh 
years, some of them will begin to bloom, most 
of a self colour ; they may now be ticketed 
as breeder tulips, and now the use of keeping 
them all separate with their increase will be 
seen. As they bloom, if they have thin petals, 
or foul bottoms, or are of a bad shape, throw 
away not only the blooming roots, but all the 
offsets also. If they have not been kept sepa- 
rate, all the offsets of the worthless varieties 
will be among the stock, and continue plaguing 
the grower for years ; while, on the other hand, 
if a variety pi'ove of fine form, of thick petal, 
smooth edge, and clear ground colour, the 
whole stock may be as carefully preserved as 
the bad ones are excluded. When a flower 
breaks from the self or breeder colour into 
stripes, it will be seen whether the stock be 
valuable or not. 
We have now simply to give a calendrical 
remembrancer for each month. 
January. The bulbs are now in the ground, 
and in most seasons not showing above, but 
they are shooting in the ground, and if we are 
right in our conclusions, a frost ought not to 
reach any that are destined for a fine bloom ; 
cover therefore carefully against frost. Sow 
seed. 
February. Many of the earliest, in a fine 
open season, will be up in the course of this 
month, and require protection ; cover therefore 
carefully on any appearance or likelihood of 
frost. Seed may still be sown, though it is 
better done earlier. 
March. Stir the earth all over the surface 
of the bed; bruise the lumps, and place the 
mould close to the stems of the plants. Cover 
more carefully than ever as the plants advance. 
Seedlings must also be protected, and if in 
exposed beds, let some good litter be placed 
upon the beds, as it is a great protection if 
loose and dry ; pea haulm, fern leaves, or clean 
straw are useful. The earth should be stirred 
also in all the outbeds, and the weeds care- 
fully removed. 
April. Watchfulness as to covering against 
bad weather and frost, is now more necessary 
than last month. If seed is up the sun must 
be kept off, and watering may be necessary, as 
whether they be under a frame, or in pots 
under glass, they are deprived of showers ; 
mild showers may be allowed to refresh all the 
beds, and coverings should be removed for that 
purpose ; but if there be the least indication 
of frost, the covering must be very effective. 
Towards the end of the month the top cloth 
should be put in its place, ready for the double 
use of keeping off sun and heavy falls. 
May. This is the blooming month ; the sun 
must be constantly prevented from shining on 
them, all the heat of the day, from the moment 
they begin to show their colours well, and be- 
fore they open. The whole of the blooms 
should be examined by the book, and obser- 
vations should be written against each ; not 
only a general mark as to correctness, but also 
as to the exact quality, whether good, or fine, 
or very fine, and any remarks that may strike 
the grower as worth noting — such as a flower 
being tall enough for the middle row when it 
is in the second row, or any flower being too 
short for its place ; these remarks enable a 
person to make proper alterations before next 
planting time. Examine also seedlings and 
breeder tulips, that you may throw away those 
good for nothing, and keep others that are 
promising. Keep all clear from weeds. 
June. The flowers go off this month, and 
towards the end of it you may begin taking up 
bulbs, especially in the outer beds. The rule 
for this must be the state of the foliage, which 
ought to have turned yellow, and begun to 
shrivel, before any of the valuable sorts are 
disturbed. Seedlings of a small size must 
