56 
THE FLORISTS JOURNAL. 
In mentioning the properties most desired in the Tulip, I con¬ 
sider the shape of the cup of the greatest importance. It should 
consist of six petals, three outer and three inner, which should be 
placed alternately, and close to each other ; they should be broad 
and round on the top, and smooth on the edge, and sufficiently 
wide to allow of the edges lying on each other when fully ex¬ 
panded, by which all quartering or opening between the petals 
will be avoided, that being a great objection ; they should also 
possess considerable firmness, with a little swell outwards towards 
the lower part of the petal, which will give the flower a good 
shoulder, as it is termed, and prevent its losing its form. The 
shape of the cup, when fully expanded, should be a semi-oblate 
spheroid, the stalk being inserted in the pole, which pole should 
be a little depressed ; this I consider the best form to retain the 
beauty of the flower during all its stages. The petals should be 
all level on the top, and not the three outer ones turning back 
from the others, nor the inner higher than the outer, which is not 
uncommonly the case, particularly when the flower is a little past 
its prime. The ground, by which we mean the white or yellow 
on which the other colours are marked, should be pure and rich, 
without spots or stains ; and it is of the greatest importance to 
have it quite clear of any colour or marks at the base of the petals 
around the staminse, for a stain there is a permanent defect which 
no cultivation can remedy : it is also desirable in the yellow 
grounds that the colour outside of the petals should be of the same 
intensity as inside, as there are many flowers possessing good 
qualities that are rendered defective by having a very pale yellow 
or nearly white outside. There is a class of flowers called tri¬ 
colors, having neither white nor yellow grounds, which are much 
esteemed by some amateurs ; but I confess I do not admire 
them : I prefer the pure white or clear yellow ground. 
The stem should be elastic, and strong enough to keep the 
flower erect ; and it is essential, to produce a good effect in the 
bed, that it should be sufficiently tall for the size of the cup, as a 
large flower on a short stem looks very awkward : it is equally 
objectionable to have a small flower on a tall stem. 
The three principal classes into which the Tulip is at present 
arranged are,—the Rose, having a rose or cherry colour on a white 
ground ; the Bybloemen, containing all the shades of purple and 
brown, also on a white ground ; and the Bizard, having various 
