The Treatment of Japan Lilies. 259 



thirty flowers. From having been allowed to become what 

 gardeners term pot-hound previous to the final shift, it had 

 only protruded a few roots from the base of the bulb through 

 the fresh soil ; it had depended for its support principally on 

 the roots above the crown, these having never received any 

 check, as I always cover the bulb at the jfinal shift. This, 

 then, would teach us to shift before the roots became matted 

 to the side of the pot, and to pot deeply ; but I prefer doing 

 this at the second shift, for I imagine that I can better judge 

 about the proper time to start them into growth when the 

 crown of the bulb is visible above the soil. 



As regards propagation, — like other bulbous plants, they 

 are increased by means of offsets, which should be removed 

 when the plants are repotted in autumn, except such as are 

 small, which will be better left to grow alongside of their 

 parents for another year : they may also be propagated by 

 seed, as is shown by the beautiful seedling varieties raised 

 by Mr. Groom. To secure seed, the plants must be induced 

 to flower early in August ; the blossoms should be fertilized, 

 and carefully guarded from damp ; when ripe, sow the seed 

 thinly on the surface of a shallow pot, well drained, and filled 

 with peaty soil, slightly covering with the same : they should 

 remain in this condition, without water, until early in Feb- 

 ruary. Their farther treatment need not be different from 

 that recommended for the plants. 



I ought to state that Punctatum is of an earlier habit than 

 any of the others. It must, however, be encouraged to pro- 

 ceed in its natural way, for I have found it somewhat impa- 

 tient of control. A frame which is kept rather close, or the 

 warm end of a greenhouse, will be suitable for it ; and it will 

 be useful in the conservatory or greenhouse at an earlier 

 period than the other varieties. These beautiful plants suc- 

 ceed in any light, moderately rich soil. I use two parts turfy 

 loam and one peat, or leaf-soil, with the addition of sand 

 according to the texture of the loam. 



Should any one who has neither greenhouse nor conser- 

 vatory entertain a fancy for these lilies, I would state for 

 their encouragement, that I have seen them grown in the 



