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DUTCH BULBS AS ORNAMENTS FOR THE CONSERVATORY. 
to their judgment, -whether in stands of twenty-four, twelve, or six blooms; and, after such decisions, 
the exhibitors to replace the cards. The motive for removing the cards for the judges’ decision, is, it 
will be understood, that they may have an opportunity of ascertaining the full character of the flowers ; 
as one of the most important properties is, that the lower row of petals, or guard leaves, as they are 
termed, should be sufficiently stout to retain themselves in a horizontal position, or nearly so, and 
support the upper part of the flower without any artificial assistance. Of late it has been proposed to 
do away with the custom of removing the cards for the censors. It has been said that the task of 
uncarding and recarding twenty-four blooms, before and after judgment has been passed on them, is 
tiresome, and occupies too much time. The subject has given rise to much discussion, and a difference 
of opinion still remains. As far as I have been able to learn, there has been no argument introduced 
to convince one of the propriety of departing from the old wholesome system; on the contrary, I think 
the censors should have a fair sight of the flowers unclothed, without having to remove the cards 
from suspected blooms, which circumstance alone might lead to many quibbles, and much dissatisfac¬ 
tion among the exhibitors. Be this as it may, it is evident to all, that loose, flimsy petalled flowers, 
look well supported by a card, and, therefore, the system of judging them on cards would allow of many 
inferior flowers taking their stand among their superiors, and thus tend to render the science less 
interesting. 
Though I do not suspect my brethren of tricks, such as have come to my knowlege in times past, 
I do think the proposed system of exhibiting open to many objections. If the extra trouble of 
arranging twenty-four blooms is too much for the dealers, they may probably come to some arrange¬ 
ment among themselves to exhibit their collections off cards altogether, and save all the labour. Pur¬ 
chasers could not object to this plan, as it would give them an excellent opportunity to select for their 
own stock. Members of Societies will do well to discuss this subject during the winter months at their 
meetings, and determine on the most beneficial, and approved mode, of exhibiting Carnations and 
Picotees for the year 1851. 
DUTCH BULBS AS ORNAMENTS FOR THE CONSERVATORY. 
By Mr. M. SAUL, G-ardener to Lord Stourton, Allerton Park, Yorkshire. 
B ULBOUS-rooted flowering plants are at once numerous, conspicuous, and exquisitely beautiful: 
they are gorgeous members of both the greenhouse and the parterre; and were all other plants 
annihilated or forgotten, this class alone would fill the hearts of the most enthusiastic florists with 
delight, and be an ample memorial of the floral glories of Paradise. The “ lilies of the field,” the 
Amaryllises, Tulips, Hyacinths, Jonquils, Crocuses, and many others, are familiar examples of the 
combined magnificence and loveliness of this class of plants. 
Bulbs have many different properties to recommend them to us; some, as those of many species 
of Allium, are used for culinary purposes ; others, as certain kinds of Scilla and Colckicum, are used in 
medicine ; and an enormous number of them enjoy peculiar care and brilliant reputation in the 
healthful, charming, and fascinating art of floriculture. 
I do not at present intend writing an essay on bulbs in general, but merely to offer a few remarks 
on what are called Dutch Bulbs; such as Hyacinths, Tulips,Narcissuses, Jonquils, and Crocuses; this 
being the season of their annual importation. On Hyacinths I can offer nothing better than has 
already appeared in this work; but hope my remarks on the other bulbs may assist amateurs and 
others in obtaining a good display of flowers during the winter. 
These charming plants are invaluable as decorative objects during winter both for the conservatory 
and drawing-room, as with a good collection of them we can have them as gay and lively as we wish. 
They are peculiarly attractive, as well for their fragrance, as for the delicacy, brilliancy, and variety 
of their colours. 
To flower bulbs successfully, they should be procured as soon after their arrival in Britain as pos¬ 
sible, and be potted immediately in a soil composed of decayed leaves, maiden loam, and cow-dung, 
with a little river sand. Besides this, another essential to their flowering well, is the condition of the 
bulb ; for, if the bulbs have been properly matured, there will be little difficulty in getting fine 
flowers ; and this will, of course, depend on the season in Holland. The only thing we can do, is to 
get our bulbs from a respectable tradesman. 
In potting Hyacinths, we do not bury the entire bulb in the soil, but keep the crown of the bulb 
level with the rim of the pot. We put one bulb in each pot, and for general forcing, use four inch 
pots, as in these they easily fit into vases for the drawing-room. When not wanted for this purpose, 
and to flower late, we use larger sized pots. Narcissuses, we generally put one bulb in a pot, using the 
