LILY, 181 
size and vigor, far surpassed our ideas of the capability 
of the plant. We have seen the Z. superbum, grown in 
this manner, more than eight feet high, with a corres- 
ponding size of stalk and number of flowers. In fact, 
we do not know of a grander object in the garden than 
a group of this Lily grown under such circumstances. 
In a moderately wet season a mulch of living plants 
is not only beneficial, but ornamental as well; for this 
purpose we should recommend the use of some low-grow- 
ing plant, the Verbena, Dwarf Petunia, or any other plant 
that will not offend the eye and cover the ground quickly, 
continuing in flower the whole season. We have known 
good effects to come from mulching L. longiflorum with 
Pansies. In a dry season living plants will not do as 
well as some other forms of mulch, as they draw too 
much moisture from the Lilies, instead of protecting 
them. For field culture a mulching of coarse hay or 
straw answers well, but in the garden that, or any other 
dry mulch, would appear unsightly. 
Partial Shade Necessary.—The next precaution 
is to have the Lily bed partially shaded, either by shrub- 
bery, or so situated that the buildings will afford the 
necessary shade; or the plants may be protected from 
the midday sun by a light lattice roofing, say six feet 
above the plants. An excellent plan is to put up a light 
frame sufficiently large to surround the bed, and cover with 
some very light and open canvas or cloth, to be used in 
excessively hot weather. This will not only prolong the 
season of flowering, but the flowers will be much larger, 
the colors and markings more clearly defined, and the 
petals will expand perfectly, without that tendency to 
dry up or wither at the points, and the whole plant will 
be stronger and more productive. 
Best Soil For Lilies.—What soils do Lilies re- 
quire, or in what kind do they sacceed best? These 
questions are frequently asked, and seem to be of great 
