1868 . ] 
ON TULIPS. 
155 
over a fine collection of choice Tulips in bloom, without being struck by 
their refinement, and their surpassing beauty. The variety of colour, the 
delicate and artistic markings, and the various shades and hues they pre¬ 
sent, call forth admiration from many who have no particular taste for 
flowers in general, and I have oft heard philosophers remark— 
“The Hand that made them is divine.” 
My collection amounts to several thousands, chiefly seedlings of my own, 
and amongst them are many fine varieties, which, as they become broken or 
rectified, develope new beauties every season. These certainly require some 
care and patience to bring them out, for, as a rule, seedlings seldom bloom 
under five years—I have known them longer. This season, I have a small 
lot, bloomed for the first time, from seed sown in 1860. When they first 
bloom they are generally self-coloured. The Dutch termed these Mother 
Tulips; we term them Breeders. There are also Bizarres, ByblOmens, and 
Roses, as well as Perpetual Selfs, yellow and white. The Breeders in time 
become broken, and there are then Feathered and Flamed varieties in each 
class, and it is in accordance with the form, colour, and artistic markings 
that the value of each is determined. 
Growers adopt various and singular methods to induce them to break. 
A change of soil and climate, however, affords one of the surest methods. 
In some situations growers cannot keep them long in the Breeder state, 
and have to obtain fresh supplies; in others they develope their beauties 
very tardily. I have known some varieties of Breeders be ten years before 
there was a break in them—indeed, I have many at the present time that 
I have grown eight years, and have never seen a break yet. And after 
waiting anxiously season after season, the break may at last prove a worth¬ 
less variety in respect to the fine qualities requisite for a first-class Tulip. 
The most important points of all are form and purity—a short cup of 
great width, stoutness of petal, and fine markings; and no matter to which 
class it belongs, it must be absolutely pure. 
In some varieties the break may only be a partial one the first season, 
and improve the second. Others come only what is termed half broken, 
and never alter; these are worthless. In the feathered state—that most 
admired and valued by connoisseurs—the more pencillings in the feather 
(the markings which pass completely round the edge only of the petals), 
the more they are esteemed and valued. The flamed flowers should have 
a beam up the centre of each petal, and be also feathered round the edge. 
Some of these are apt to come with the flame too much confused, which 
detracts from their merits. The Bizarres, those having yellow grounds, 
are generally the most esteemed and most numerous. There is more 
diversity of opinion as to merit in this class than in the others. With 
regard to colour, the darker or orange grounds with dark markings are 
