82 
THE FLORISTS JOURNAL. 
fleshy leaves, or scales, as they are sometimes called, which are 
pressed outwards by the internal growth, to form the outer 
covering and give apparent identity to the bulb. But there must 
be some other identity ? because if the same bulb be again planted 
at the proper time, it will flower again in the next year. Yes, 
assuredly it will; but without assistance from any part of the 
growth of the preceding year, except that which was invisibly 
formed while the former year’s flower and foliage were perfected. 
To understand this rightly it must be observed, that the radical 
plate is a member which appears to be composed of an infinite 
number of incipient or embryo gems, that are developed seriatim, 
either in the order of their seniority or position. The first, 
which occupies the centre, is that division or gem which will be 
perfected in the ensuing spring with its leaves and flower, and 
nourished by its own roots produced at the same time. While 
this is progressing, the next gem or division is gradually swelling 
into form and filling up the space before occupied by the first. 
A third succeeds the second, a fourth the third, and so on as long 
as the radical plate exists ; and thus the identity of the bulb is 
continued by this consecutive series of gems given off by the 
radical plate. 
When the bulb is particularly vigorous in consequence of being 
planted in a highly favourable soil, not only will the first division 
be expanded, but the second also; so that the plant will present 
two flower-stems, and if these receive any accidental check, one 
or several offsets will be produced from the edge of the plate 
under the surface of the ground. 
The cultivators of bulbs are well aware of the compound cha¬ 
racter and divisibility of the radical plate. Some valuable bulbs 
are shy in producing offsets, such as the Hoemantlius : but if the 
upper half or top of the bulb be cut off so as to prevent it 
flowering or shewing any upward growth, several offsets will very 
soon issue from the edge of the plate. The same expedient is 
practised by the Dutch florists when they wish to multiply any 
new or favourite variety of the tulip or hyacinth. By which 
operations it is manifest that, though a bulb under ordinary 
management may produce only one flower or develope only one 
of its divisions annually, yet by favourable treatment it may be 
prompted to produce a plurality of both flowers and offsets, and 
by mutilation many of the latter. 
