376 HARDY AND HALF-HARDY GARDEN BULBS. 



planting is preferable. The bulbs, if kept long out of 

 the ground, shrivel and are weakened ; it is on this 

 account that imported bulbs so seldom flower well the 

 first year. 



The soil should be frequently enriched, as the lily is a 

 gross feeder, and will bear a large amount of manure, 

 showing the effect in increased size of stem and leaves, 

 and number of blossoms. 



During the winter the bulbs should be protected by a 

 covering of coarse manure, and in summer a little mulch- 

 ing placed over the bed, to protect the ground from the 

 sun, is beneficial. The best species are, 



Lilium candidum, one of the oldest garden flowers ; 

 always a favorite, from its fragrance and beauty ; too well 

 known to need description. A variety with double flowers 

 is destitute of beauty, and can only be regarded as a mon- 

 strosity ; the variety with striped leaves is desirable. L. 

 perigrinum somewhat resembles the last, but is botan- 

 ically distinct. L. bulbifemm is the common orange 

 lily. L. longiflorum, a lovely species ; flowers, pure 

 white, very long, and fragrant ; requires slight protection 

 during the winter. Lilium lancifolium album, L. I. 

 roseum, L. L speciosum : These three lilies are generally 



