276 THE GARDENER. [June 



LILIUM GIGANTEUM. 

 13 y far the most stately and handsome both as regards habit of 

 growth and foliage, this noble Indian species is by no means 

 deficient of that rich floral beauty so conspicuous in every member 

 of the tribe to which it belongs. 



On its first introduction to British gardens some thirty years ago, it 

 created quite a sensation among horticulturists, and was soon widely 

 distributed over the country. It is now, however, seldom met with in 

 collections — a fact much to be regretted, as few plants are more effective 

 in the midsummer decoration of the conservatory or lofty greenhouse. 



Having drooping trumpet - shaped flowers, it is grouped in the 

 Eulirion section of the genus. The stem rises to heights of from six 

 to ten feet, the flowers being clustered at the top : they are of a fine 

 waxy white colour, the interior delicately streaked with violet crimson, 

 and most deliciously fragrant. The fine, broad, heart-shaped leaves 

 at the base of the stem are a foot or more in length, becoming gradu- 

 ally smaller as they ascend : they are bright glossy green, and render 

 the plant very attractive, apart altogether from the flowers. It is 

 nearly hardy, and will withstand the rigours of an ordinary winter in 

 the open border if protected with a mulching of a few inches of leaves 

 or manure. The young foliage, however, is so tender and liable to 

 suffer injury from the cold cutting winds and late frosts of spring, 

 that pot-culture and the wintering of the plants in a cool house or 

 cold frame are the most satisfactory practice, particularly for those that 

 are intended for the conservatory. They are found to thrive well in 

 turfy loam enriched with a liberal allowance of well-rotted stable- 

 manure, with the addition of as much sharp sand and charcoal, not 

 broken too small, as will render the compost sufficiently porous. 

 As the bulbs exhaust themselves in flowering, it is necessary to keep 

 up a supply of succession plants, which are usually obtained in suf- 

 ficient numbers in the form of offsets from the parent plants for the 

 requirements of even a large establishment. They should be shifted 

 into larger pots from time to time as they gather strength, taking care 

 that the roots are mutilated in the operation as little as possible. 

 Autumn is a very good time for shifting, but some prefer early spring, 

 so soon as the bulbs begin to show their leaves. Such of them as 

 give indications of throwing up flower-stalks should have extra large 

 pots — not less than 12 or 14 inches in diameter. An abundant supply 

 of water is essentially necessary for their wellbeing during the growing 

 season, and they will be much benefited by an occasional supply of 

 weak liquid-manure. No artificial heat is necessary at any stage of 

 their growth. As much air as possible should always be allowed, and 

 the plants should be fully exposed to the sun. Hugh Fraser. 



