HINTS ON THE EASTER LILY. 



'''^S^ ULBS potted in August may 



□N be expected to bloom at 

 J Christmas time. Planting 



of bulbs late in October or 

 early in November allows plenty of time 

 for slow growth and for flowering by 

 Easter time. Pots should remain in the 

 dark at least six weeks so that roots 

 may grow plentifully from the base of 

 the bulbs. 



The Easter or Harris lily throws out 

 a secondary group of roots a little above 

 the bulb, soon after stem growth is pro- 

 perly begun. For this reason, more 

 soil should be heaped above the bulb 

 from time to time till the pot is full. 

 The first planting should be deep in the 

 pot to allow room for the additional soil 

 added later. 



Six months will be required for the 

 complete development of the plant from 

 the time of planting. When first brought 

 from the cellar a group of tips will be 

 seen protruding from the earth. Water 

 moderately, and gradually expose to the 

 light. When tips turn green, increase 

 the light but not the temperature. Slow 

 growth, in an atmosphere moist and 

 having a temperature ranging from fifty- 

 five to sixty-five degrees Farenheit, is 

 advised. A dry, hot atmosphere is fatal 

 to success. 



To hasten the time of bloom bring 

 into a warmer room, increase the sun- 

 light, and keep the air moist by allowing 



water to evaporate more or less con- 

 stantly from a dish on the stove or 

 register. To retard growth, when de- 

 velopment appears too rapid and bloom 

 probable before the desired time, set 

 pot in cool dark room and water 

 moderately. 



If the soil is rich a profuse watering 

 every third day will help the roots to 

 abstract the nourishment it needs. If 

 lacking nourishment, as may appear by 

 weak growth, a half-pint of liquid manure 

 should be given the plant each week or 

 half-pint of water having in it ten drops 

 of liquid ammonia. So large a bulb as 

 the Easter lily is a gross feeder, and 

 appreciates any extra care. After the 

 plant has bloomed, it should be moder- 

 ately watered till the foliage turns 

 yellow. This indicates that the bulb is 

 ripe and ready for a period of rest. 

 Withhold water altogether, and set pot 

 away in some cool cellar till the follow- 

 ing October. It is then planted out of 

 doors and treated as other lilies. Hav- 

 ing bloomed once in the house, it is not 

 fit for a second forcing, but out of doors 

 it will renew itself so as to bloom in a 

 year or two. In the open ground it is 

 desirable that this lily should have some 

 protection for winter, such as is afforded 

 by two or three inches of coarse stable 

 litter, or a thick covering of leaves. — 

 J. F. B., Vick's Floral Guide. 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



THE chrysanthemum plants which 

 have been wintered in the cellar 

 should now be brought to the 

 light and given plenty of air and 

 water ; and in a short time the light- 

 colored shoots will take on a green 



healthy appearance. After they have 

 become well established they should be 

 separated from the parent plant, 

 each containing a portion of the 

 fibrous roots which are supporting it, 

 and potted into a small pot, where if 



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