TULIPS 
We dre tempted to pronounce Tulips the most spectacular of all spring flowers 
for great variety of reasons. In the first place they bring us a blaze of colors when 
the heart is just about starved through the drab and dreary winter months. 
Their range of colors is perfectly amazing, from clear white to deepest purple 
and maroon, including many superb vari-colored combinations. By a judicious selec- 
tion of early, midseason and late varieties, Tulips may be enjoyed for the best part 
of six weeks outdoors, with an additional two months added when the gardener goes 
in for “forcing’’ suitable sorts indoors. 
CULTURE. Tulips should not be grown in soil in which they have been growing for 
two years previously. They do best in fresh soil or in beds in which the soil has been 
changed. Growing them in the same soil for more than 2 years will at last lead te 
failure. 
Do not use fresh stable manure at planting time, ds it is injurious to the roots. 
Well-rotted manure will prove beneficial. Bone meal or dried sheep manure also can 
be used, about three handfuls to the square yard. This must be thrown on top of the 
soil before planting. 
When buying bulbs for your garden, order always a few more than you need, 
ds sometimes the flower-beds are spoiled by dogs, mice, etc. Plant the surplus bulbs 
in small pots in a corner of your garden so that they can be replanted when some- 
thing of that kind happens to your flower-beds. Old pots are preferable to new ones, 
but if such are used they should be soaked in water a few days before they are used 
for planting bulbs. 
Nearly all Tulips should be planted outside about 5 inches deep, dnd 6 inches 
apart according to the size of the bulb. They should be planted four weeks before 
severe frost sets in. For pots, six or seven in a 7-inch pot or pan can be used. For 
best results, do not mulch them until after the soil has become frozen, to keep out 
mice, etc. Do not mulch them too heavily, half an inch will prove quite enough. Old 
cow manure, peat moss, salt hay or leaves may be used for this purpose. 
“If flowers are not cut for indoor decoration, be sure to cut them as soon as they 
fade. Do not let petals lie on ground. 
When leaves have dried up, cut them off. If you lift them, place them in a dark 
cool spot to dry. When dry, remove roots and old loose skin. Store in dry, airy place. 
