Herbaceous Plants 281 



plants divide readily, and the finest kinds may be increased 

 by this method. 



Lilies. — No place is complete without some of the species 

 of this queen of flowers. Some of them are very easily 

 grown and give great satisfaction. While a variety of soils 

 and conditions are required to grow a collection of lilies, the 

 majority of them succeed only on a light soil of sand and 

 gravel mixed, since this soil is free from excess moisture. 

 The soil should be rich, but no manure must come in con- 

 tact with the bulbs. Manures are best appHed to the sur- 

 face as a mulch. Lilies should be planted deep, owing to the 

 fact that many produce roots along the stem above the bulb, 

 and also because deep planting enables them to withstand 

 drought and keeps the roots cooler. A mulch of 3 or 4 

 inches of leaf mold or peat is excellent for the latter pur- 

 pose. Peat mixed with the soil in its preparation adds 

 to its moisture-holding capacity and enables the plants 

 to better withstand drought. A position should be chosen 

 which is sheltered from severe winds and the midday 

 sun, but this does not mean the close vicinity of trees. 

 Among rhododendrons is a good place for some lilies, and 

 sometimes they are used among peonies. The bulbs should 

 not be severely frozen in winter, which can be prevented 

 by adding suflScient mulch. It will be found advantageous 

 to take up and separate the bulbs of the lily bed every three 

 or four years, and after renewing the soil replant the largest 

 and strongest bulbs. Among the best kinds are: 



Gold-banded Lily (L. auratum), Fig. 161. — This is the 

 finest of all the Japan lilies. The flowers are large, white, 

 spotted with dark crimson, and with a golden line or band 

 along the center of each petal. The flowers often grow in 

 large clusters, as many as forty sometimes appearing on a 

 single stalk, but the ordinary number is about six to ten. 

 Height 2 to 4 feet. There are several garden varieties. 



