273 THE FLOWER-GARDEN. [chap. vm. 
however, rarely worth while to take up the 
common garden bulbs: such as the snow¬ 
drop, the crown-imperial, &c., every year; 
particularly as they generally form their new 
bulbs at the side of the old bulb: but even 
these kinds should be taken up every two or 
three years. When raised from seed, bulbs 
are generally from three to five years before 
they produce flowers; and they are never 
propagated by layers or cuttings. 
Tulips . — Experienced florists raise tulips 
from seed to obtain new varieties; but as 
the young bulbs are frequently from five 
to seven years before they flower, this mode 
of propagating tulips does not suit amateurs. 
Even when seedling tulips do flower, they pro¬ 
duce only self-coloured flowers, for the first 
two or three years, and in this state they are 
called breeders. To make them break, that 
is, produce the brilliant and distinct colours 
which constitute the beauty of a florists 
tulip, they are subjected to the most sudden 
and violent changes of soil, climate, and 
management. At one time, they are grown 
in poor soil, and only allowed enough water 
to keep them living; and then they are 
