158 FLORA HISTORICA. 



be taught to transplant many kinds of his fruit- 

 trees into poorer soil,, when the richness of the earth 

 forces the growth of the tree too rapidly to form its 

 fruit. 



The Lily of the Valley is a desirable creeper for 

 the shady banks of lakes and ornamental streams, 

 and we love to meet its grateful fragrance beneath 

 the pendulous branches of the Babylonian Willow, 

 although 



Nymphs and shepherds dance no more 



By sandv Ladon's lilied banks. 



Milton. 



The autumn is the proper season for placing 

 these perennial fibrous roots in the ground, where 

 they should be covered with about two inches of 

 earth, and not be disturbed oftener than every third 

 or fourth year, as they seldom flower strong or 

 plentifully after being removed. The plants will 

 require no other attention than that of keeping them 

 free from weeds, and thinning the roots about once 

 in three or four years, according to the nature of 

 the soil and the increase of the plants. 



The Lily of the Valley is one of the flowers that 

 bears forcing in pots, and as but few plants are 

 more agreeable for the house in the months of 

 March and April, this mode of flowering the Con- 

 vallaria Majalis should never be omitted by the 

 florist who has the opportunity of doing it; and 



