196 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 
is not objectionable. The Z. awratum has disappointed 
more of its admirers than almost any other Lily, because 
of its failure to adapt itself to our soil and climate. Our 
experience with these bulbs proves that they are not 
hardy, in a sense that other Lilies are. They must be 
protected, both against cold and standing water, both in 
open soils, and where the water does not stand over 
them during their periods of rest. When guarded at 
all, in these points, they are as long-lived, and will grow 
as vigorously as any other Lily. They are, moreover, 
impatient of heat, and to be grown successfully they 
should be in partial shade, and the ground covered in 
summer with newly cut grass or some other suitable 
mulch. The flowers of this species vary more in shape, 
color and markings than any of the other Lilies, so 
much so that some growers have selected a large number 
with decided markings and forms, and have awarded 
them varietal names. In growing large numbers, and 
watching their habits closely, we do not think this prac- 
tice warrantable, because the character of the flowers 
depends so much upon the conditions of growth, that 
under changed conditions they are not constant; that a 
bulb which has given very large flowers this year, may 
give inferior ones the next, and the reverse. We have 
also noticed, in our selection from beds of those with a 
red instead of the yellow band, that the color is not con- 
stant, and the following year the band will again be 
yellow. 
There are, however, some distinct varieties, which 
we shall notice in their order, from the seeds of which 
the bulbs we receive from Japan are grown. ‘The seeds 
from these varieties are undoubtedly cross-fertilized, 
which will account for the vast number of forms and 
colors we find among the imported bulbs. The same 
law holds good with this Lily as with all other plants, 
that where cross-fertilization has once been effected 
