Plate 197 . 
VARIETIES OE EARLY TULIPS. 
Few flowers are more effective for the early decoration of the 
greenhouse or garden than the many beautiful varieties of early 
Tulips, and we have therefore selected three from the extensive 
collection exhibited by Messrs. Cutbush and Son at the spring 
shows of the Royal Horticultural and Botanic Societies, as the 
subject of our present illustration, and are indebted to our 
friend Mr. James Cutbush for the following notes on their 
culture :— 
“We have divided this very beautiful class of early-flower¬ 
ing bulbs into two sections, the first being those which will 
bear a moderate degree of forcing, and may be had in bloom, 
under careful culture, as early as the Hyacinths. The second 
section contains those better adapted for blooming in March. 
We select the bulbs early, and pot three bulbs in a pot in good 
turfy loam, mixed with a good proportion of rich decayed ma¬ 
nure and silver-sand about the first week in October. The 
first section might be potted a fortnight earlier with the first 
batch of Hyacinths. After they are potted, select a level plot 
of ground, sheltered from rain and frost, and plunge them in 
old tan or coal ashes some six inches deep for a month or six 
weeks; after, remove them and clear away all impurities, and 
place them in a cool house, and gradually introduce them into 
the forcing pit, observing great care that the temperature be 
not too high, say 55 degrees, increasing to G5, giving plenty of 
clear water, and keep near the glass, to prevent them from 
drawing; when the bloom is so far advanced above the bulb as 
to be distinctly seen, remove them to a cooler house, that they 
may expand their flowers and ensure a better colour. A little 
very weak manure water may with advantage be used in this 
