JAPAN LILIES. 



In the open ground we have succeeded well with them in a soil prepared just as for 

 other bulbs — deep, with a liberal proportion of sand and abundance of old hot-bed 

 manure woll worked in. Plant either in fall, or early in spring, before they begin to 

 grow. Tlio bulbs should bo set about two and a half to three inches deep, as the 

 stem emits roots that greatly increase the vigor and flowering capacity of the bulb. 

 Keep the ground clean and frequently stirred during the season ; and when the flow- 

 ers begin to appear, apply liquid manure freely, especially if the season be dry, as it 

 often is in the autumn when these Lilies bloom. Before winter sets in, cover the bed 

 with a good coat of leaves. 



On pot-culture wo extract the following very full and plain instructions from the 

 London Gardener's Chronicle of November, 1803: 



" Let us begin with the bulbs in the condition in which they are usually found in the 

 beginning of November, when they have done flowering. Some of mine liave just gone 

 out of flower ; others are well ripened, and ready for repotting. But as their treatment 

 after flowering is of groat importance, Ave will suppose thej' have just dropt their blussoms- 

 Remove them to a rather warm situation, and as dry as you can command, and give them 

 little or no more water. I generally water lightly two or three times after my jdants are 

 placed in circumstances to ripen. A warm greenhouse or pit, kept rather close, if not 

 moist, will eflfect this important desideratum perfectly. As soon as the bulbs are sufliciently 

 matured, which will be known by tlie decay of the leaves and stems, they had better bo 

 repotted; not that this is of importance at present, but it will economise space, and pre- 

 vent the operation being neglected until after they have made fresh roots. The soil in 

 Avhich they have been growing ought to be entirely removed from the bulbs, and the latter 

 divided as may be thought proper, for there will always be found about the crown of the 

 parent some small bulbs, which may be placed in 4-inch pots. If the ripening process has 

 been complete, the roots will not be troublesome, but if not there will be found a quantity 

 of fresh roots remaining. "When such is the case I leave them to themselves for some time 

 longer, for I never pot while I require to cut or break the stronger roots, but merely strip 

 my fingers through them in order to remove those that are decayed. The pots should be 

 just sufficiently large to receive the bulb and strong roots adhering to it ; give a moderate 

 watering to settle the soil, and place them in the greenhouse or cool pit. They will re- 

 quire no further attention until the season begins to excite vegetation, when they must be 

 regularly attended to. "Water as soon as you see signs of growtli, but sparingly until they 

 have made leaves, &c., to draw up and give off moisture. March will generally be found 

 to be the time when they will commence growth. As soon as they are above the soil, re- 

 move them to a situation where they will be near the glass and have plenty of air, for after 

 success depends upon getting them strong at this stage. Do not allow them to remain in 

 the small pots in wliich they were wintered until their roots become matted ; the best way 

 of managing this is occasionally to examine them. I always shift into the flowering-pots 

 just as the plants have protruded an abundance of fresh roots against the sides of the pots. 

 For strong bulbs with one stem use 12-inch pots, and for such as produce two stems a size 

 larger. "Weaker bulbs, such as produce about seven flowers, will not require pots above 8 

 inches, and offsets of the first year will not require above 5-inch pots. In shifting into the 

 flowering-pots, be careful to place the crown of tlic bulbs about 3 inches below tlic surface 

 soil, as they produce a quantity of strong roots from the base of the stem. They 

 after potting to occupy a place near the glass ; and avoid a warm house if you wish 



