THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 323 



POT CULTURE OF JAPAN LILIES. 



BY A CONTRIBUTOR. 



T is a matter of surprise and regret with me tliat I do not 

 more frequently meet with these noble autumnal flowers 

 in the collections of amateurs, for they are, in my esti- 

 mation, the most beautiful of all our autumu-flowering 

 plants ; and they are so easily managed, and occupy so 

 little house-room, that they are just suited for persons that can afford 

 only a limited space for one kind of plaut. I sometimes meet with 

 people who entertain the idea that, because they are so truly beau- 

 tiful, they must be difficult to manage, and, in consequence, they 

 neglect their culture altogether. Now, I And theua the least trouble- 

 some of all my favourites, and the most certain to reward me for the 

 little attention they receive. 



My method of cultivating them is simple and soon told ; and I 

 have no doubt that any amateur commencing their cultivation, by 

 attending to the following directions, will be equally successful with 

 myself. Let us begin with the bulbs in the condition in which they 

 are usually found in the beginning of November, when they have 

 done flowering. Some of mine have just gone out of flower; others 

 are well ripened, and ready for repotting. But as their treatment 

 after flowering is of great importance, we will suppose they have 

 just dropped their blossoms. Remove them to a rather warm situa- 

 tion, and as dry as you can command, and give them little or no 

 more water. I generally water lightly two or three times after my 

 plants are placed in circumstances to ripen. A warm greenhouse 

 or pit, kept rather close, if not moist, will effect this important 

 desideratum perfectly. 



As soon as the bulbs are sufficiently matured, which will be 

 known by the decay of the leaves and stems, they had better be 

 repotted ; not that this is of importance at present, but it will 

 economise space, and prevent the operation being neglected until 

 after they have made fresh roots. The soil in which they have been 

 growing ought to be entirely removed from the bulbs, and the latter 

 divided as may be thought proper, for there will always be 

 found about the crown of the parent some small bulbs, which may 

 be placed in four-inch pots. If the ripeniug process has been com- 

 plete, the roots will not be troublesome; but if not, there will be 

 found a quantity of fresh roots remaining. When such is the case, 

 I leave them to themselves for some time longer, for I never pot 

 while I require to cut or break the stronger roots, but merely 

 strip my fingers through them, in order to remove those that are 

 decayed. 



The pots should be just sufficiently large to receive the bulb and 

 strong roots adhering to it. Give a moderate watering to settle 

 the soil, and place them in the greenhouse or cool pit. They will 

 require no further attention until the season begins to excite vege- 

 tation, when they must be regularly attended to. Water as soon as 



November. 



