282 THE FLOWER-GARDEN, [chap. viii. 
the tulips should be planted in the bed is 
seven inches apart* every way; and their 
colours and kinds may be arranged according 
to the fancy of the planter. It is customary* 
where the tulips differ a good deal in height* 
to place the tallest in the middle* and the 
lower ones on the sides; and when this is 
V 
the case* the centre of the surface of the bed 
need not be raised. The bed is protected 
by hoops and mats* which are contrived to 
open to admit light* air* and rain at pleasure. 
When the plants are near flowering, a path 
is made round the bed; and over the whole 
is stretched a canvass covering, supported 
on a wooden frame* and so contrived as to 
open at the sides or the top* as may be 
required. The bulbs are planted about two 
or three inches deep* and are never watered* 
except occasionally by admitting a gentle 
rain* till they are in flower. When they 
have done flowering* the leaves are suffered 
to remain till they begin to turn brown* 
when the bulbs are taken up* and laid with 
the lower part upwards on shelves to dry. 
When this is the case* the dry leaves and 
the fibrous roots are pulled or rubbed off; 
