92 
six feet wide, both for convenience and drainage. Where 
we think further drainage is needed we run cross or 
latitudinal paths. And in the preparation of the beds 
where there may be a dip or slight depression we elimi¬ 
nate it—aiming ever to keep a watchful eye upon the 
matter of standing water. The base of the bulbs is 
placed 4 inches below the surface and the rows 6 inches 
apart. The bulbs are placed in the 4-foot rows as fol¬ 
lows : All bulbs larger than 10 centimeters 14 bulbs to 
the row and planted upright. Those below 5 centi¬ 
meters are strewn along about 50 to the row, while 
those of less size are planted in clusters. 
The bed system which has been the accepted mode 
of planting, and which has the manifest advantages of 
uniformity and definiteness is, of course, not to be dis¬ 
carded lightly. It is too an open question whether as 
compared with the row system any economy can be 
gained in cultivation. But where land is cheap, given 
the American way of looking at things, there is a strong 
appeal to the imagination in the row system. Here if 
any, is the place to cut expenses radically in growing. 
And why should there be finality when there is a de¬ 
sired and reasonable objective? At any rate fancy 
lingers over a quicker way of planting, less hand work 
in cultivation and a machine yet in the brain cells for 
digging. As for ourselves who are growing for the 
bulb, we have not accepted finality in the matter of 
planting, and purpose experimentation. Whereas if we 
were growing tulips for the bloom only, we should 
scarcely consider it an experiment; we should not hesi¬ 
tate to plant in rows. 
In theory tulip bulbs should be planted in Septem¬ 
ber ; they are really planted when separated and cleaned. 
