OCTOBER. 221 



ON THE CULTIVATION OF JAPAN LILIES. 



These noble autumnal flowering plants form at this season objects 

 of the greatest beauty, either in the greenhouse, drawing-room, or 

 flower-garden ; for they will be found to succeed well planted out in 

 the open borders or beds. I have no doubt that they will shortly 

 become general favourites for out-door work. The situation that 

 should be selected for planting them in the open ground should be 

 somewhat sheltered by shrubs or other means, in order to protect 

 them from heavy winds, which are very injurious to the flowers and 

 foliage. The best season for planting them in the open ground is 

 February. At the time of planting examine the soil where they are 

 intended to be placed, and if found wet, put some potsherds at the 

 bottom for drainage. Then place on these some rough fibrous peat 

 and sand well mixed together, covering the bulbs eight inches deep. 

 If the bulbs are strong, they may be planted a foot apart each way, if 

 intermediate sized bulbs, nine inches will be sufficient. 



About the latter end of March, or the beginning of April, they 

 will appear above ground. Should the weather at this period be cold 

 or frosty, place some rough pieces of peat around their stems, and 

 keep them covered with it until there is a favourable change. This will 

 be found the best protection for them at that season, as well as add- 

 ing to their strength and vigour when they are in a more advanced 

 state of growth, as it will induce them to throw out their strong 

 fleshy roots into the peat with the greatest freedom, and often cause 

 them to form fine bulbs round the stem. Should the summer be hot 

 and dry, some manure-water would be of the greatest benefit to them. 

 It should be prepared from sheep or cow- droppings, but not over 

 strong, as it can be applied more frequently if given them in a mode- 

 rate state. 



When they have done blooming in autumn, and shew a disposition 

 to rest, take them up, and put them in some dry mould, to keep them 

 from shrivelling, placing them either in a room or shed until plant- 

 ing-time arrives next season. It will be found that an over supply of 

 water while at rest is the principal thing that will injure them; and 

 after such an unusually wet season as the one just past, I would 

 always advise all bulbs to be taken up in winter, as I have seen num- 

 bers of fine bulbs completely destroyed by too much wet. 



Should fine specimens be required in pots for decorating the 

 greenhouse or conservatory, prepare some fourteen-inch pots ; well 

 drain them, and use the same compost as before recommended, se- 

 lecting three of the largest bulbs for each pot, and covering them 

 the same depth with the soil as in the open border. When potted, 

 place them in a cold pit or frame, giving them plenty of air, but no 

 water until they shew their stems above ground, when water may be 

 applied very sparingly at first, increasing the supply as they advance. 

 When they have made growth from twelve to eighteen inches long, 

 place round their stems some large pieces of rough peat, which will 

 cause them to throw out fine strong roots in great profusion, and 



