THE 



GARDENER 



APRIL i88i. 



SOME NOTES. 



NE of the first things that occurs to a would-be Lily-grower 

 is how and where to procure bulbs. If cost is no object, 

 he has only to write out an order for large sound bulbs 

 from any of the numerous catalogues or advertisements 

 at hand. In most cases this simple plan succeeds, so far 

 as the getting of good bulbs goes ; but if he who plants Lilies, like 

 the wise builder of houses, first sits down and considers the cost, 

 he will — he will do well ! In the beautiful coloured plate of 

 Lilies presented to the readers of the ' Gardeners' Chronicle ' some 

 time ago, a lovely long-tubed Lily is figured. Its name is L. neilgher- 

 rense. It is barely hardy, but may be started in a pot and planted out 

 in May or June, and is so lovely that it ought to be grown by the 

 dozen in all good gardens. If you write an order for a dozen bulbs 

 at 15s. each, it only comes to £9 ; but if you want really good strong 

 bulbs, you pay a guinea each for them, or a trifle of a guinea or so 

 more if the very finest bulbs are desired. I believe the best bulbs are 

 preferable — sure to bloom, you know. 



Lilium Wallichianum is another nice kind, rather tender and difii- 

 cult to grow, as a rule. You plant it in a pot very carefully : some- 

 times it comes up, sometimes not. The price is pretty much what 

 you like, up to three guineas a bulb. Nothing less than 15s. will get 

 you a decent bulb of this kind ; and if you want to make quite sure of 

 ever seeing it in bloom, pay £20 to £36 for a dozen bulbs, and you 

 may be gratified. Nothing like a good start in plant-growing : order 

 a dozen bulbs at once. 



