38 The Japan Lilies ; 



4. Li'lium specio''sum var. ro^seum maemora^tum. The Spotted 

 Rose-colored Japan Lily. 

 Flowers white, and covered with very distinct ruby 

 spots and points : habit the same as the rubrum : growing to 

 the height of five feet. It is much more distinctly spotted 

 than either of the above varieties. It is entirely distinct from 

 punctatum. This variety is yet very rare, and in but few 

 collections of plants. 



Cultivation. 



The Japan lilies are of easy cultivation, and, though they 

 have been found to be nearly or quite hardy, yet their adapta- 

 tion to pot culture will always make them the especial favor- 

 ites of the conservatory and greenhouse, where, during 

 the months of July and August, — as we have before remarked, 

 (XIII. p. 264,) — they will form the most brilliant ornaments. 

 In order, however, that our directions may be more explicit, 

 and readily understood by every amateur, we have placed 

 them under the various heads of Soil, — Repotting, — and Gen- 

 eral Treatment. 



Soil. — The best soil for these lilies is a mixture of peat, 

 loam, and leaf mould, in about the following proportions : — 

 one third peat, one third leaf mould, or very old and perfectly 

 decayed manure, and one third fibrous hazel loam. If the 

 loam is very stiff", a small quantity of sand may be added, to 

 give freeness to the compost. We have tried them in a soil 

 richer than this, and with more loam, but we have not been 

 so successful in their cultivation. 



Repotting. — Supposing the bulbs to have been placed un- 

 der the stage, or in the cellar, they will begin to grow by the 

 first of February, particularly the punctatum : as soon, how- 

 ever, as the shoots are seen pushing through the soil, prep- 

 aration should be made to repot them. In the first place, 

 have in readiness a good quantity of the proper sized pots, 

 with plenty of good potsherds, of various sizes, for drainage : 

 having selected the pots, place in the drainage, and over this, 

 (which should quite cover the bottom,) throw on some of the 

 coarsest of the compost ; then fill in with the soil to the de- 

 sired height. The bulbs should then be carefully turned out 



