LILIES IN POTS. 



Hf-iHE genus Lilium comprises about 

 forty-five species of hardy, half- 

 .1 hardy, or greenhouse bulbs, and 

 generally the prettiest and most effective 

 bulbous plants that can be grown, either 

 under glass or in the open air. The 

 white lily (L. Candidum) is always to be 

 seen in the wholesale market when in sea- 

 son. Only during the past summer we 

 had the pleasure of seeing a splendid 

 display coming on in a little orchard. 

 The soil was undoubtedly rich and well 

 drained. In this situation, we were in- 

 formed, a gorgeous display of magnifi- 

 cent blooms are cut season after season. 

 We mention this fact to show that with 

 proper conditions L. Candidum may be 

 readily raised to perfection. It is a very 

 handsome and popular species. We do 

 not purpose lengthily reviewing the nu- 

 merous species of this genus. A word 

 or two, however, on L. Speciosum in 

 pots may not be out of place. Most 

 lilies are especially suitable for pot cul- 

 ture on account of their pretty foliage, 

 and suitability generally for greenhouse 

 or conservatory decoration. When growth 

 commences they may be plunged in the 

 open ground, and allowed to remain 

 there till the blooms are ready to expand, 

 when they should be taken under cover. 

 For general purposes the bulbs should 

 be potted singly, in 6in. pots, so that 

 they may be readily shifted when in 

 bloom, if required. This is a good way 

 to raise them for decorative purposes. 



Potting Lilies. — The simplest process 

 is as follows : — When the bulbs are re- 

 ceived they are laid on an outside border, 

 and just covered with some light or 



sandy soil. Then as the roots at the 

 base commence to push freely they are 

 potted. The best material is composed 

 of loam, well-decayed manure and sand. 

 The bulbs should be potted well down, 

 so as to leave space at the top for addi- 

 tional soil as time goes on, that is when 

 the root stems develop. After potting 

 they should be placed on a bed of ashes, 

 and be covered to a depth of three or 

 four inches with the same material. 

 When the tops are about to start through 

 the soil the covering should be removed, 

 when the pots may be plunged into the 

 open ground to remain till the flowers 

 are on the point of opening It is im- 

 portant to remove the covering of ashes 

 before the shoots make their appearance 

 above ground, otherwise they will be 

 blanched and will need protecting ; 

 whereas if exposed before the tops are 

 above ground they will then push away 

 sturdily from the very first, and, of 

 course, resist the cold better. Under 

 this system later blooms are obtained 

 than if they were raised under glass, and 

 consequently may be better appreciated 

 by villa residents and suburban and 

 amateur growers. In the summer they 

 will simply need a little water, and as the 

 pots get full a top dressing will be of 

 great benefit to the plants. As the buds 

 appear it is well to give manure water 

 once a week. A stick for support is 

 necessary. The flower is pure white, or 

 more or less spotted with claret red. 

 Large supplies come from Japan, and it 

 is productive of fine, bold, handsome 

 blooms. — Fruit Groiver. 



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