ON TULIPS. 
bo 
now see it, does not possess one of the properties which are viewed 
as requisite to constitute a fine flower, and which are possessed to 
a considerable degree by some of the Dutch flowers. It must 
also be borne in mind that, in raising tulips from seed, (the only 
way to obtain new varieties,) it requires six years’ cultivation of 
the young bulbs before you can expect to see them flower, as it 
is rarely before the seventh year that their blooms are produced; 
and after the bulbs have flowered, it not unfrequently requires 
several more years of cultivation to obtain a separation of the 
colours. Under these circumstances, although we can now, in 
England, boast of having completely surpassed the Dutch florists 
in this flower, we are still much indebted to them for having pro¬ 
duced those fine kinds on which we have improved, and from 
which we started, instead of having to commence, as they did, 
with Gesneriana. 
