THE CROCUS AND ITS CULTURE. 
407 
one-third (which is four-twelfths) to one-half 
(which is six-twelfths), he must have said 
five-twelfths, which is half way between his 
extreme points of perfection ; but it is in the 
easiest way proved that there is not a point of 
difference between these three points, and, of 
course, the shades between them. For in- 
stance, the half ball will show all the beauty, 
even to the fine feathering on the edge, al- 
though the edge is nearly, if not quite, upright. 
The richness of the surface, and the reflected 
light in any segment of a sphere, gives a 
much more beautiful effect than any other 
form. This, however, being acceded to, and 
the old and exploded fancy for a flat bottom 
with straight sides being given up to the 
improved notion of a hollow ball, we have only 
now to examine the effect of less than a half 
ball. The part got rid of, be it remembered, 
is the edge, which being nearly upright, the 
feather is seen better, being more plainly 
developed by its oblique position ; thus, 
although the flower is losing something in 
depth, it gains in the development of its 
beautiful stripes. This holds good down to 
one-third, which gains in the point of ex- 
hibiting its feathered edge, and loses in the 
depth and proportionate quantity of inner 
surface, the one fully compensating, by its 
better exposition of stripes, for the assumed 
loss of depth ; but, after the third, that is to 
say, any point below a third, loses in richness, 
and does not compensate in any way, because 
its flatness detracts too much from the general 
character of the flower. But there is another 
way in which to look at this important point. 
Suppose a flower to develop its stripes pro- 
perly at one-third of a hollow ball, which 
would be its form when fully opened; that 
same flower will gain in colour by being rather 
less open., and would form more than a third. 
It would lose a trifle in the non- development 
of its edges, and that is a compensating fault 
for its closing. If it did not open beyond a 
half, the same thing applies in a more ex- 
tended degree. But the flower that will open to 
one-third without quartering, (which is of itself 
a grand quality of the Tulip, and which none 
but a broad-petalled, well-made flower will,) 
is as rich, taking all the points, as any others 
that can be found. "We therefore come to the 
conclusion, (founded on the principles which 
have been the basis of all the properties of all 
the flowers): — First, that a Tulip of one-third 
of a hollow ball would, so far as that one 
quality is concerned, be perfect. Secondly, 
that a Tulip five-twelfths of a hollow ball, 
though it lost a trifle in the development of 
its beauty, gained in the appearance of its 
depth as much, and is, therefore, so far as 
that point is concerned, perfect. Thirdly, 
that if it were a half ball, losing one way 
what it gained another, it would still be 
perfect. But lastly, that if it were less than 
a third, or more than a half, it would be 
IMPERFECT. 
THE CROCUS AND ITS CULTURE. 
Although the Crocus appears one of the 
most common of our spring flowers, and is 
scarcely thought of, except while in bloom, 
there is a great variety of which little is gene- 
rally known, and seed-sowing for new sorts 
would be an inviting and gratifying occupation. 
For this purpose, we take from a volume of the 
"Horticultural Transactions" somefew portions 
of an elaborate paper by A. H. Haworth, Esq. 
We have greatly abridged even the pcrtions 
we have taken, but the paper will be found of 
a readable length, and highly useful to those 
who wish to pursue the raising of seedlings. 
" The seeds of Crocuses are best sown im- 
mediately after being gathered, in light, dry 
earth, that will neither bind y nor retain 
moisture long : but it is not necessary that it 
should be rich, as that might encourage a too 
redundant, and fatal humidity. 
" Large pots or pans, or small shallow boxes 
of such soil, with a sufficiency of holes and 
potsherds at the bottom, for the purpose of 
draining off with certainty all superfluous 
moisture, are the properest receptacles for 
these seeds ; which should be sown thinly (for 
almost every one will vegetate), and not 
covered at the time of sowing more than half 
an inch with the mould. 
" The most eligible aspect, or situation, for 
the seminal boxes, until the autumnal rains 
set in, is a moderately shady, yet unsheltered 
one; permitting them to receive all the in- 
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