Oyster 'Bay, £. L ZNew lork 
DARWIN TULIPS 
Raised from seeds of the best Bybloemen by an unknown amateur in the north 
of France, they drew the attention of a prominent bulb-grower of Haarlem, who 
bought the collection about 35 years ago. Because of the unusual clearness of 
colors, the thick substance of the petals and their vigorous growth, he immedi¬ 
ately realized that he had to do with a superior strain of Late Tulips, and called 
them after the great naturalist Darwin. This collection is the origin of hundreds 
of acres in cultivation at present in Holland. 
The chief characteristics of the Darwins are the perfect cup-shape of the flowers, 
fleshy substantial petals, tall stems and bright colors, ranging through all the 
shades of pink and red to purple. There are certain slaty blues and blue-violets 
which might almost be called a blue, while the black Tulip is nearly realized in 
some of the dark maroon varieties. There are comparatively few white or pure 
yellow varieties. 
Most Darwins can be forced by middle of February, many of them even 
earlier, provided that they are potted as soon as received. 
The bulbs must be set farther apart than is the case with the early Tulips, 
and plenty of room on the benches must be given when vigorous growth begins. 
They should be grown slowly under a moderate temperature. Too high a tem¬ 
perature should constantly be avoided, or poor flowers result. 
Nearly all varieties but especially the mauve-colored ones, lose their true 
color, becoming much paler when forced. 
After testing, year after year, several hundred varieties in our trial garden at 
Oyster Bay. we have listed only such varieties as are the best. We confidently 
believe that our list will prove to be a reliable guide through the labyrinth of 
varieties. 
An asterisk (*) preceding the name indicates that it may be successfully forced. 
The figure following indicates the relative time of flowering. 
Please Note Particularly: 
Giving the right varieties “the right of way” over others with less 
pronounced characteristics constitutes, perhaps, the most noteworthy 
feature of this catalogue. We have felt for some time that an alphabeti¬ 
cal arrangement of varieties is merely a survival of a conventional form of 
presentation. All varieties we offer in all classes have certain merits or 
we would not offer them. But some have greater merits than others, 
often regardless of price, and these varieties we feature at the head of 
their respective classes. 
RED AND CHERRY-ROSE SHADES 
*Eclipse. (2). Among the finest of all red Darwins, a glowing blood-red of deep, 
rich shade. Particularly impressive alongside either a yellow or a very 
deeply colored variety such as Faust. The huge, magnificent flowers are 
supported by strong, tall stems. Second to none for lasting qualities, either 
in the border or for forcing. Height 30 inches. $2.60 per dozen, $20 per 
100 . 
*King George V. (2). Unquestionably the finest among cherry-red Darwins 
and a gem in every way. Equally superb in the border or when grown in¬ 
doors. A brilliant cherry-red, shaded bright salmon-pink, blue star at base. 
The flowers are enormous and of great substance, carried on sturdy stems. 
The reasonable price of this magnificent sort should win it many more admir¬ 
ers. Height 28 inches. $1.25 per dozen, $9 per 100. 
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