1876. ] 
NOTES ON TULIP-CULTURE 
19 
be some four feet apart across tlie bed. To make a proper framework on wliicb to 
place the covering to protect tlie beds, narrow strips of deal or ordinary builders’ 
laths should be placed in a line along the top of the hoops ; and a similai’line half¬ 
way down on either side, fastening them securely to the hoops. Next as to the cover¬ 
ing, either mats, frigi-domo, or other materials can be employed. The late Mr. 
Joseph Hunt, of Wycombe, used to fasten two ordinary garden mats together, 
one over the other, and nail them lengthways to strips of deal, two or three 
inches square ; this weight kept the mats in position during windy weather, and 
when not required, it admitted of the mats being rolled up in a neat and tidy 
manner, and put away securely. Large-sized Eassian mats will be found quite 
wide enough to.throw off any rain from the growing plants. 
Though it cannot be expected that this covering will ward off severe frost, yet 
if supplemented with another layer or two of mats that will reach to the bottom 
on either side, its effects will be mitigated in a considerable degree. It is not 
that frost kills the Tulip, unless the bed gets thoroughly saturated with wet 
from heavy rains and a sharp frost follows. If the bed be kept moderately dry, 
but little harm can come from intense frost, but it would always be a wise pre¬ 
caution to cover the bed with some clean wheaten straw in times of unusual 
severity. 
Cold biting winds are also harmful when they play unrestrainedly on the 
growing plants. The most piercing winds come generally from the north-east 
and east, more so at this season of the year than from any other direction, and 
when they prevail the covering should be tied down close on that side of the bed 
from whence the wind comes. 
Tulip-growers agree in regarding the first putting-forth of the leaves as a critical 
time for the plants. What they properly fear is their becoming filled with water, 
for the form of the Tulip-leaf is somewhat concave, and the water becoming 
suddenly converted into ice by the action of frost, the stems are apt to become 
nipped, and although the consequences are not immediately visible, future dis¬ 
appointments may be predicted with certainty. As an old florist once stated :— 
“ The plants may stand apparently all right till nearly in full bloom, but at any 
visit to the bed the probability is that the florist will find some of his favourites 
lying prostrate, their stems being half-tainted through.” To obviate this mis¬ 
fortune, he goes on to say, “ The foliage should be kept as dry as possible, from the 
time when- it first opens to the period of full bloom, and this can only be effected 
by having a top cloth on during all wet weather ; for although a double covering 
of net-work will keep out a great deal of frost, this is not sufficient, and nothing 
but keeping the wet out of the foliage at this period of their growth will ensure 
a fine bloom. Great care should, however, be taken to roll up this cloth in fine 
weather, so as not to spindle and draw up the stems, as nothing looks so un¬ 
natural as a bed with weakened stems in full liloom, and tlie flowers hanging and 
drooping about in all directions.” 
What named varieties of Tulips worthy of cultivation can now be obtained ? 
c 2 
