CULTIVATION OF THE LILY TRIBE. 



67 



of a most interesting order in the natural 

 system of Jussieu, (the Lilacece.,) embracing 

 many plants with flowers truly magnificent. 



The root of the Lily, or what is generally 

 denominated the root, is a scaly bulb, the 

 scales being laid over each other in an im- 

 bricate form, enclosing the germ or bud. 

 The bulb is not a root strictly speaking, but 

 a bud containing the embryo of the future 

 plant. The roots are thrown out from the 

 bottom of these bulbs or buds, and unlike 

 the fibres of the tulip bulb, are perennial, 

 and on their strength depends, in a great 

 measure, the vigor of the future plant. 

 During the process of the growth and in- 

 florescence of the plant, new buds are form- 

 ed side by side of the old bulb, which are 

 matured sufficiently to push their leaves 

 soon after the flowering of the mother plant 

 is over, and it begins to exhibit signs of de- 

 cay in its foliage. This is the proper time 

 to divide and transplant the bulbs. The 

 different species of Lilies will all be ready 

 to take up in the month of August ; some 

 earlier, and others later, according to their 

 time of flowering. 



In the cultivation of border flowers ge- 

 nerally, it will be found that they thrive 

 best in well pulverized rich soils, such as 

 are neither too heavy nor too light. The 

 Lily will do well in any well prepared bor- 

 der. By a well prepared border, we mean 

 one that has been trenched, and bountifully 

 supplied with decomposed stable or barn- 

 yard manure, composted with peat or 

 swamp-muck. If the soil was of a heavy 

 character, a suitable quantity of sand should 

 be mixed with it, or if too porous and light, 

 soil of an opposite quality ought to be incor- 

 poratod with it. Ground thus prepared is 

 in order to receive not only Lilies, but other 

 bulbous roots and plants. On no account 

 should the removal of lilies be deferred un- 

 til the leaves begin to push, for in that 



case the bulbs are very much weakened, and 

 their flowering may be prevented for a 

 number of years. Care should be taken 

 not to break the fibres attached to the bulbs. 



The bulbs of strong growing Lilies should 

 be planted from four to five inches deep, 

 and weaker sorts from three to four inches. 

 It will be found beneficial to imbed the 

 bulb in sand. In the borders, three bulbs 

 of the stronger growing varieties, are 

 enough for one group, and five of the weak- 

 er sorts. They have a pleasing effect when 

 planted in masses. Most of the species 

 are perfectly hardy, and it is not absolutely 

 necessary to give them any protection in 

 winter; but all will bloom more strongly, 

 provided they receive a covering of fitter 

 or rotten manure. 



LiLiuM CANDIDUM, The Old White Lily, 

 This species has always been considered 

 the emblem of whiteness, and is too well 

 known to require any description. A mass 

 of white lilies is always beheld with ad- 

 miration,and they perfume the air with their 

 delicious fragrance. The White Garden 

 Lily cannot, therefore, be dispensed with by 

 the lover of flowers. In strong ground, it 

 grows three or four feet high, and is in 

 flower about the first of July. 



LiLlUM CANDIDUM, FLORE PLENO. This is 



a double variety of the white : but no one 

 will cultivate it for its beauty. The inflo- 

 rescence appears to be a continuation of the 

 foliage, which as it terminates the stem, 

 gradually assumes the character of sepals 

 or petals, with the whiteness of the simple 

 flower. It is a curious monster, and for 

 that reason may be fancied by some. 



LiLiTJM CANDIDUM FLORE STRiATO, the Va- 

 riegated White Lily, is another variety of 

 the common white. The purity of the 

 white is destroyed by the dull purple 

 stripes that mark the petals, and give the 

 impression that the flower has been soiled. 



