226 FLOllA DOMESTICA. 



every second year. The best time to remove it is about 

 the end of August, soon after the stalks decay. It will 

 thrive in almost any soil or situation, is very hardy, and 

 not liable to injury by frost. Few plants are more easily 

 increased or preserved than the Lily, so remarkable for 

 the beauty and fragrance of its flowers. 



The bulbs, when removed, may be treated as other 

 bulbs ; but the sooner these are re-planted the better, as 

 they do not keep so well out of the ground as many 

 others. 



This Lily is considered as an emblem of purity and 

 elegance ; and 



" The lady lily, looking gently down," 



is scarcely less a favourite with the poets than the rose 



itself : 



" The lily, of all children of the spring 

 The palest — fairest too where fair ones are." 



Barry Cornwall's Flood of Thkssaly. 



" Thus passeth yere by yere, and day by day. 

 Till it felle ones in a morwe of May, 

 That Emelie, that fayrer was to seene 

 Than is the lilie upon his stalke greene. 

 And fresher than the May with floures newe. 

 For with the rose color strof hire hewe ; 

 (I n' ot which was the finer of them two) 

 Er it was day, as she was wont to do. 

 She was arisen and all redy dight ; 

 For May will have no slogardie a-night." 



Chaucer. 



-" In virgin beauty blows 



The tender lily languishingly sweet." 



Armstroxg. 



Hevinlie lyllyis with lokkerand toppis quhyte, 

 Opynnit and schew thare istis redemyte." 



Gawin Douglas. 



