hiny. 179 
six inches in depth, of newly fallen leaves, kept in place 
by some brush or a few pieces of board. Any coarse hay 
is also an excellent protection ; cornstalks answer a very 
good purpose; in short, whatever material is the most 
convenient that will accomplish the purpose, is the best. 
Wet Soil Injurious.—The next important cause 
of failure in Lily culture is in planting in wet situations, 
much water around the bulbs in winter being about as 
injurious to the plant as much frost. In situations 
where water covers the ground for any great length of 
time when the bulbs are at rest, or during winter, they 
will not be likely to succeed, and are liable to perish. 
There are many gardens noted for their productiveness, 
which cannot be planted before the first of May, because 
of too much moisture; such a one is not the congenial 
home of the Lily. The remedy is to plant in a raised 
bed. This should be, when finished, at least eighteen 
inches above the level, and is best made in the following 
manner: Lay out a bed of the required size and desired 
shape; upon this place any rough stones, about a foot 
high, irregularly, so that the spaces between them will 
not be more than their diameter; fill these spaces with 
good strong soil even with the tops of the stones; partly 
rotted turf is the best; on this soil place the bulbs, about 
eighteen inches apart each way; then between the bulbs 
place stones of about six inches in diameter, in the same 
uregular manner as the first layer; then cover the whole 
with the same preparation of soil that was placed between 
the first layer of stones, and the work is complete. The 
bulbs should not be placed nearer than a foot from the 
edge of the bed, which should be sloping and neatly 
sodded, and should always be as closely cut as the lawn 
during summer. ‘This bed will require the same mulch- 
ing during the winter as though the bulbs were planted 
in the ordinary border. With these precautions all gar- 
den Lilies can be grown in perfection, and will reward 
