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THE FLORIST. 
ON THE PROPERTIES AND JUDGING OF TULIPS. 
BY MR. JOHN SLATER, FLORIST, CHEETHAM HILL, NEAR MANCHESTER. 
I have read carefully the various remarks in Floricultural publica¬ 
tions relative to the form of the Tulip, and I am of opinion that the 
sooner a standard of perfection is agreed upon the better. Some 
florists object to half a hollow ball, on account of its being too short 
for the cup, and others on account of its being too long; but as na¬ 
ture in all her works has observed certain proportions, beyond which 
we cannot pass with propriety, it may safely be inferred that, by 
running to extremes, we are straying from the right path. Too 
little attention has been paid to this. Novelty has carried judgment 
captive, and hence the numerous differences of opinion in regard to 
florists’ flowers that now exist among florists. 
In regard to the Tulip, some standard of perfection should be 
fixed on to which all should adhere. One locality is not particular 
as to form if the marking be correct: another if the bottom be pure and 
the flower well marked, although the petals are pointed and narrow: 
in another, colour is an object; if not of a certain shade it is despised. 
If only one standard existed, purchasers would be in possession 
of a sure guide by which to judge of the value of new varieties; but 
in the present state of things the tyro is, in a great degree, left to 
uncertainty and doubt. 
With these preliminary remarks, then, I shall endeavour to aid 
the good work by offering a few observations upon the principles 
and rules which should be universally adhered to. 
In the first place, form, size, and bottom ought to be prominent 
characteristics of all Tulips ; that is, a pure base of white if a rose or 
byblomen, and a good yellow if a bizarre. Now, what is the requi¬ 
site form for a Tulip ? I should at once decidedly say one-half of a 
hollow ball, which is most agreeable to the eye and which also pre¬ 
serves the best proportions : one-third of a hollow ball is too short, 
and any one who will draw a circle and take a third of it, and also 
a half, will soon discover what harmonises best with a tasteful eye. 
Then comes the shoulder of.the Tulip (as it is termed); and with 
respect to this, it must be remarked, that all writers upon the 
subject, up to the last few years, insist upon one, and it must be 
observed that nearly all flowers which are considered first-rate pos¬ 
sess the shoulder. I have almost in every instance found that where 
there is no shoulder, the Tulip does not stand so firmly in form as 
when shouldered. I have seen some short-cupped flowers (that is, 
flowers below the half-circle), destitute of the shoulder, when fully 
blown in a hot sunny day, shew almost a flat surface, and no one can 
deny that this is a great fault. 
By a shoulder I do not mean that it should be angular; it should 
curve gradually and gracefully. I am aware that this opinion will 
not meet with the approbation of all; but, until it is shewn to be 
wrong, I must adhere to it. A great objection to the circular base 
is, that it is generally more contracted; and all good florists agree 
as to the desirability of a broad base in the Tulip. 
