British Bulbs
The displays of British bulbs—at Spalding, Holbeach and several other centres—have, I think, delighted and perhaps surprised most observers ; and it is pleasant to know that the popularity of our bulbs grows steadily. Very good work was done by the Empire Marketing Board, and thanks in part to their well-directed zeal before their decease, our horticulturists have themselves contributed a very considerable sum of money to the work of popularizing British bulb farms. The torch has been handed on (though it has not altogether changed hands) to the Ministry of Agriculture. The sight of the forcing houses (which multiply in Cornwall hardly less than in South Lincolnshire) is in itself evidence enough of the steady growth of the industry. The time is coming, has indeed almost come, when the Holbeacli and Spalding neighbourhoods will be as well worth a pilgrimage as Haarlem itself, to which, incidentally (as I happened to see not long ago), the ex-Kaiser of Germany is a devoted visitor. It is not a long drive from Doom ; and the bulbs come before the hay which he makes with vigour—and a special pitchfork—in his Dutch park at the due season.
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