290 
THE FLORIST. 
EARLY TULIPS. 
For the amateur of limited means these are a valuable tribe of 
spring-flowering* plants. They are cheap, and easy to cultivate, re¬ 
quiring but little attention, and while they annually adorn the flower- 
clump, or sitting-room window, their numbers will increase, until the 
only difficulty will be to find room for them. During April and May 
they add an inexpressible charm to the flower-border, and do not 
•withdraw their unequalled colours and sweet perfume until their 
place can be supplied with the usual bedding-out plants; from 
February till May they are also easily had in flower for the window. 
In forming a collection, the following varieties are suitable to begin 
with : Van Thol, single and double; Rex Rubrorum, Tournesol, Flo¬ 
rentine, and Mariage de ma Fille. The outlay for a dozen of each of 
these varieties will not exceed the cost of one dozen of first-class 
Hyacinths, and while the latter have to be bought annually, these will 
last for years. 
I would advise one half the quantity obtained to be planted at 
once in the flower-border, where they will bloom in spring, and will 
be in a fit state for potting for the window next season. The soil 
in which they are planted should be rather light and rich, and ought 
to be well loosened to the depth of 15 inches at least; for although 
they will grow and flower if stuck into any soil, they will yearly 
become weaker and fewer in number, until they ultimately disappear 
altogether. In planting, the roots should be placed about 5 inches 
apart, and covered about 2 inches with soil. They require no pro¬ 
tection, and no further care, save a few stakes to support the taller 
growing sorts, and to have the surface of the soil stirred occasionally. 
As soon as the leaves decay, the roots may be taken out of the 
ground, and placed in any dry place for a time, in order that they 
may get thoroughly dry before they are put into their winter 
quarters. Any cool dry place will answer for this purpose ; but mice 
are apt to make sad havock among them, so keep your eye upon 
them. I also find it necessary to guard them against the ravages of 
these vermin in the ground. It is often necessary to remove them as 
soon as they are done flowering ; and in this case I lift them carefully, 
retain as much soil with their roots as I can, and place them in a 
shady situation, covering them with soil to about the depth they for¬ 
merly occupied. If the weather is dry, give them a little water; here 
they will mature their growth, and will receive little injury from their 
removal. These ought to change places with the portion which has 
flowered in the window, as they will be found apt to become weak 
under pot-culture, and if the same roots are used two successive 
seasons, they will probably be of little account the second; this will 
not, however, be a necessary consequence, but is generally the result 
of using small pots, and otherwise treating the plants unnaturally. 
For window decoration, plant in pots as soon as the bulbs are pro¬ 
cured, using 7-inch pots for the purpose; put in each five roots of 
Van Thol, or three of the other sorts. After potting, they should 
