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 classified by florists, according to their colour, into “selfs,” flowers of one solid colour; “bizarres,” flowers with a clear yellow base or centre with orange, red, crimson, and other markings; “roses,” flowers variegated with shades of rose, deep red, or scarlet; and “bybloemen,” flowers of dark colours such as lilac, purple, brown, and “black.” Several other species have given rise to cultivated varieties, but to a much more limited extent.

Tulips are propagated in two ways—by offsets from the bulb and by seeds. The offsets grow to a flowering size in three or four years, and may be relied on to reproduce the variety truly. Most varieties produce offsets in considerable abundance. There is a remarkable peculiarity about seedling tulips. When they begin to flower, after growing for four or five years, the flowers are of one plain dull colour,