We have a decided objection to Tulip beds in pleasure gardens; first, on account of the formality which long or square beds give to the general scene; and next that these beds become blanks for the remainder of the year, which destroys the effect of other plants. Tulips, that are not of the first rate varieties, may be made to add greatly to the gaiety and beauty of the garden when they are judiciously planted in clumps of from six to eighteen in a spot. Situations that are sheltered from the winds should be chosen, as also where a partial shade is afforded from the afternoon sun. By this manner of planting bulbous flowers, the patches of ground required are not larger than will be found necessary between the clumps of later flowering-plants, whose branches will occupy so much of the spot made vacant by the loss of the Tulip, as to be unperceived in the later season of the year. The Tulip bulbs should be so allotted to the grounds, as to embellish those spots that are most deficient in flowers at the season of their blooming, which is confined to the months of May and June, excepting the dwarf early-blowing Tulips, suaveolens, which usually flower in April. The proper time for committing these bulbs to the ground, is from the end of October to about the middle of November, but not later; and a circular spot of from two to three feet in diameter will be sufficient to plant about eighteen bulbs. Having prepared the spots, lay little patches of sand where each bulb is to be placed; then gently cover them with sand, or a very light sandy soil, forming little pyramids over each bulb: after this lay the compost gently over the clump, so as to cover the bulbs about three inches in depth; and the spot should be rather higher than the general surface of the border, so that superfluous water may run off by the convex shape of the clump. The brown coat of the bulb should be carefully taken off when it is placed in the ground, but the root must not be injured in performing this operation. The time for taking up the bulbs will be shown by the decay of the stem and the leaves: they should then be placed in a dry, airy, shaded situation, until the season for planting: their outer skins must by no means be disturbed until the moment they are to be covered with earth. The dwarf early-flowering Tulip is the kind used for forcing in pots, and these prosper better in earth than when placed on water, although the latter mode is frequently adopted, but the bulbs uniformly perish after having flowered in water. LILY OF THE VALLEY. Convallaria Majalis. Natural Order Sarmentaceæ. Asparagi, Juss. A Genus of the Hexandria Monogynia Class. Sweet flower o' the valley, wi' blossoms of snow, And green leaves that turn the cauld blast frae their stems; Bright emblem o' innocence, thy beauties I lo’e, Aboon the king's coronet circled wi' gems! There's nae tinsel ahint thee, to make thee mair bright, And thy bonny bells, danglin' sae pure and sae light, J. L. S. THE flowery month of May produces no plant of more exquisite fragrance, or more delicate form, than the Lily of the Valley. In floral language is is made to represent a Return of Happiness, because it announces by its elegance and its odour the happy season of the year. The graceful manner in which these perfumed bells are suspended on the stem, and the agreeable contrast which their broad leaves of bright green afford to the snowy corollas, could not escape the notice of our poets. Bernard Barton thus speaks of this flower : : and sweetest to the view, The Lily of the vale, whose virgin flower Trembles at every breeze beneath its leafy bower. Mr. Leigh Hunt calls them the nice-leaved lesser Lilies, Shading, like detected light, Their little green-tipt lamps of white. Keats says No flower amid the garden fairer grows Hurdis moralizes on this flower that flourishes so well in the shade, where gayer plants would not exist : to the curious eye A little monitor presents her page Of choice instruction, with her snowy bells, Still shelter'd and secure. And as the storm, When poets thus sweetly endeavour to reconcile us to humble stations, their works may be compared to Lilies of the Valley, which give pleasure to all that behold them, and can never be found offensive by any rank or station of men. Prior, after looking at this flower, wrote Why does one climate and one soil endue The blushing Poppy with a crimson hue, Yet leave the Lily pale, and tinge the Violet blue. These are reflections which flowers bring to our contemplation, and which must always end in our admiration of the infinite wisdom of the Creator, who formed man with mind, and the Lily with fragrance. Prior adds Take but the humblest Lily of the field; This native flower did not fail to catch the attention of our great dramatic bard, whose pen could not touch the humblest plant without portraying its character to the life, and his happiest similes are often taken from flowers. Shipwreck'd upon a kingdom, where no pity! No friends! no hope! no kindred weep for me, The Lily, for its delicate whiteness, has been as |