224 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[October, 
variety to save seeds of the largest and best-formed fruits, as they vary in size 
and shape, like every other sort of fruit that is raised from seed ; when, however, 
a good stock is once obtained, it does not matter whether they are increased from 
runners or by seed, as it is the second year before the principal crop of fruit is 
obtained ; for although they will bear fruit the first season when raised from seed, 
it is not desirable to allow them to do so, as the plants become much better 
matured and strengthened by keeping them during that period clear both of 
fruit-stems and runners. 
When managed in this way, good strong plants to commence a second year’s 
growth will be the result. In spring a coating of well-decayed manure is 
lightly forked in. We prefer this plan to that ordinarily adopted of allowing 
it to remain entirely on the surface as a mulching. The next thing to be done, 
and that to which I attribute the successful autumn fruiting, is to clear off all 
flower-stems and runners at the stage of growth when the first-formed fruit is just 
beginning to show signs of colour. If the ground is light, and considered dry, a 
liberal watering should be given, which will insure a good start to fresh growth 
and a renewal of flowering-stems, which will keep up a succession of fruit for a 
considerable period. I prefer to allow the runners to remain after the first cutting, 
as they help to keep the fruit clean during heavy rains. They are cleared away 
as soon as the fruit is over, so as to give the plants full air to ripen them for 
another season.—J. Webster, Gordon Castle. 
TULIPS AND TULIP-GROWING. 
|T is much to be regretted that the Tulip has of late years been so much 
C$2 neglected, and that so many fine collections have been dispersed. Still it 
must be very gratifying to those who are lovers of this noble flower to hear, 
that a taste for the Tulip is again reviving in the Northern and Midland 
counties, and I trust the time is not far distant when we shall have to say tile same 
of the South. No doubt the energetic measures adopted by the Metropolitan Floral 
Society, if well supported, will once more cause these, as well as many more of 
our old favourites, to become attractive features at our exhibitions. Who has 
ever beheld a well-bloomed bed of Tulips, and has not been charmed with the 
gorgeous mass of flowers, the evenness of the head of bloom, the diversity of 
colour, the fine form, the purity, and the beautiful marking in each bloom, such 
as is not to be found in any other Florist’s flower! Really flowers like these, of 
such a high standard, possessing such admirable properties, should not be suffered 
to become neglected, and almost lost sight of, but should be encouraged by every 
Floral Society. Tulips are perfectly hardy, and of very easy culture, requiring 
but little attention till just before blooming. They should be planted early in 
November about 6 in. apart and 3 in. deep. As the planting time is fast 
approaching, I have made a selection of some of the finest varieties in each of the 
classes, which is here subjoined 
