Briareus Tulips In a small Oxford garden are now blooming
a number of Darwin tulips, which make more than double the show that was expected of them when the bulbs were planted last autumn. Numbers of the stalks hear two or three flowers ; and the treble flowers are not in the least diminished in size. Doubtless the appearance of two blooms on one tulip stalk is not a novelty ; but it is against the habit of the flower, and such a general multiplication of bloom in one small bed is new in my experience at any rate. In the same garden bluebells, unwanted bluebells, have established themselves among the roses and each year the ruthless gardener pulls them up with all possible roughness. In spite of such treatment they increase in number and vigour every year. An experiment is being made at Kew to test the effect of pulling up and tramp- ling bluebells ; but as to plucking the flowers, the case is proved. They like it, even if a good part of the bleached stalk is exposed. We must protect our wild flowers ; and some, notably the foxglove, common though it is, suffer much from flower plucking and the consequent diminution of seed. But let us be honest ; there are some flowers, sonic of the loveliest, that may be gathered with impunity.
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