130 THE FLORIST. 



them in smaller pots. For full-grown bulbs I use 8-inch pots ; but 

 this I leave to the judgment of the cultivator. When potted, treat 

 them as recommended above. I had almost forgotten to state that 

 the bulbs ought to be covered some three or four inches with soil ; 

 this is of importance, for they throw out strong roots just above the 

 crown of the bulb, and frequently produce a couple of small bulbs 

 from the same part of the stem. A strong bulb of Rubrum produced 

 with me last autumn somewhere about thirty flowers. From having 

 been allowed to become what gardeners term pot-bound previous to 

 the final shift, it had only protruded a few roots from the base of 

 the bulb through the fresh soil? it had depended for its support 

 principally on the roots above the crown, these having never received 

 any check, as I always cover the bulb at the final shift. This, then, 

 would teach us to shift before the roots become matted to the side 

 of the pot, and to pot deeply ; but I prefer doing this at the second 

 shift, for I imagine that I can better judge about the proper time to 

 start them into growth when the crown of the bulb is visible above 

 the soil. 



As regards propagation, — like other bulbous plants, they are 

 increased by means of offsets, which should be removed when the 

 plants are repotted in autumn, except such as are small, which will 

 be better left to grow alongside of their parents for another year : 

 they may also be propagated by seed, as is shewn by the beautiful 

 seedling varieties raised by Mr. Groom. To secure seed, the plants 

 must be induced to flower early in August ; the blossoms should be 

 fertilised, and carefully guarded from damp ; when ripe, sow the seed 

 thinly on the surface of a shallow pot, well drained, and filled with 

 peaty soil, slightly covering with the same : they should remain in 

 this condition, without water, until early in February. Their farther 

 treatment need not be different from that recommended for the 

 plants. 



I ought to state that Punctatum is of an earlier habit than any 

 of the others. It must, how r ever, be encouraged to proceed in its 

 natural way, for I have found it somewhat impatient of control. A 

 frame which is kept rather close, or the warm end of a green- 

 house, will be suitable for it ; and it will be useful in the conser- 

 vatory or greenhouse at an earlier period than the other varieties. 

 These beautiful plants succeed in any light, moderately rich soil. I 

 use two parts turfy loam and one peat, or leaf-soil, with the addition 

 of sand according to the texture of the loam. 



Should any one who has neither greenhouse nor conservatory 

 entertain a fancy for these Lilies, I would state for their encourage- 

 ment, that I have seen them grown in the highest perfection with the 

 aid of a small frame and the after protection of a virandah ; here they 

 were effectually sheltered from wet, and shaded from the direct rays 

 of the sun. Under such conditions, the flowers remained for an 

 unusually long period in perfection ; and it would not be easy 

 to imagine any thing more strikingly beautiful in such a situation 

 than a few well-grown plants of Lilium lancifolium roseum, punc- 

 tatum, album, and rubrum. If very large specimens are desired, try 



