1 899] 71 



THE BER^IUDA OR EASTER LILY. 



By H. B. Small. 



Few people have any idea of the enormous extent to which 

 the cultivation of the Easter Lily is carried on the islands of 

 Bermuda. Acres upon acres are devoted to this plant alone^ 

 and its bulbs constitute one of the principal and most lucrative 

 exports of those islands. The beautiful sight which one of the 

 lily fields presents when in full bloom is beyond description, and 

 the fragrance that loads the air is oppressive. For decorative 

 purposes the buds are cut shortly before Easter before the flower 

 opens, and carefully packed with damp moss in boxes the sides 

 of which by means of cleats allow ventilation. These on arrival 

 in New York are immediately distributed to the points whence 

 applications have been received, and if too backward are forced 

 into bloom by placing the stems in warm water. But the flowers 

 form only a small part of the profit attending lily culture. The 

 bulbs are shipped in enormous quantities to wholesale florists, 

 who supply the demand for them all over the continent. This 

 industry only commenced in 1878, when an American named 

 Harris, making a study of the plant and its growth introduced 

 it into Bermuda, and from the success attending its culture there, 

 it received the name by which it is now known Lilinui Harrisiiy 

 the developement of flowers under the genial climate and adapt- 

 ability of the soil making it supercede the original lily known as 

 L. longiflorniii. 



The industry has of late years been seriously threatened by 

 the ravages of the Eiicharis Mite which has so deterioated the 

 bulbs that their sale is seriously injured. The disease is; 

 characterized by spotting and distortion of the leaves and flowers,. 

 and a stunted growth. The Department of x-^griculture in 

 Washington has made a special study of it and in August 1897 

 issued a bulletin thereon. Various remedies have been tried, but 

 so far without effect, and application was made to England last 

 year for an expert from Kevv to visit Bermuda and examine the 

 whole condition and nature of the disease. The lily is supposed 



