THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 137 



LILY OF THE VALLEY. 



■iLTHOTJGH this is only a common English plant, there 

 is, perhaps, no greater favourite than it is, more espe- 

 cially with the fair sex, nor any more deservedly so ; 

 its beautiful foliage, lovely white smart-looking flowers, 

 and delicious perfume, all conspiring to make it an 

 object worthy of general admiration. 



For many years I have made a practice of growing a few pots of 

 it, for the purpose of winter and spring decoration of the drawing- 

 room, as well as the conservatory. They are generally grown in six- 

 inch pots, and the average number of flower-spikes have been from 

 two to two and a half dozen, though they sometimes amount to above 

 three dozen to each pot : and most people who see them through the 

 months of February, March, and April, are in raptures with their 

 loveliness, particularly those from the neighbourhood of towns. I 

 have heard but few people say that they cannot grow them, but 

 almost everybody complains that they cannot get them to bloom 

 well ; and from what I have seen of their culture, I might say that 

 the fault lies in taking too much trouble with them ; indeed, their 

 cultivation is so simple, that I have often thought that it would be 

 almost the best thing a cottager or dweller in a town could have for 

 a window plant in spring and early summer. The only thing required 

 is to provide a few five or six-inch pots, and a few eyes, about the 

 beginning of March ; just as the eyes begin to show above ground a 

 little rather light sandy loam should be placed in the pots, upon about 

 half an inch of drainage ; seven or eight should then be placed equi- 

 distant about the pot, on the surface of the soil, allowing the eyes to 

 be about level with the rim of the pot. A handful or two of the 

 finest of the soil should then be placed on the top of the plants, and 

 a good shake of the pot, by striking the bottom of it against the 

 ground a few times completes the work ; plunge the pots as closely 

 together as is convenient, in tan or ashes, or in the garden soil, in a 

 situation where they can have the full sun for a few weeks. About 

 the middle of April or beginning of May remove them to a situation 

 where they may be partially shaded ; the north side of a low de- 

 ciduous hedge is a capital place, but they must be kept plunged. 

 They will require no more care than a little water now and then till 

 September, when a coat of about six or seven inches of rotten manure 

 may be thrown over them. The rains will carry the fertilizing 

 matter from the manure gradually through the soil amongst the 

 roots ; and if you force them they may be taken up about six or seven 

 weeks before they are wanted in bloom, :md started at once in a very 

 mild heat — say 55° by day, and from 45° to 50 y by night. Another 

 portion may be placed in a vinery not at work, or in a cold pit, and 

 introduced to the forcing-house at intervals, and those left in the 

 cold house will be in bloom all through the month of April. If they 

 are wanted later, it is elfected by placing them behind a wall with a 

 north aspect; by this means they might be had in bloom from 

 January till the middle of June. 



May. 



