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But it was
in Holland that "tulip mania" reached
its peak in the 17th century, with the
development of new tulip varieties,
colors, and exotic shapes. People used
tulip bulbs like currency, with the
price of certain exotic bulb varieties
approaching the absurd -- one bulb was
reportedly exchanged for two loads of
wheat, four oxen, eight pigs, twelve
sheep, two hogsheads of wine, four
barrels of beer, two barrels of butter,
1000 pounds of cheese, a bed, a suit of
clothes and a silver beaker!
Tulips
have come down in price since the heady
days of 17th century bulb speculation.
Although still wildly popular -- the
daffodil is the only other spring bulb
approaching the tulip for popularity --
most tulip bulb varieties are
inexpensive and widely available. See
below for a table with the ten most
popular tulip bulb cultivars. |