THE BEST PERENNIALS FOR THE GARDEN 315 



them. Lilies seem to do better in the shade, al- 

 though many authorities differ on this subject. In 

 England they are planted in the neighbourhood of 

 trees and large shrubs, and it would be better to 

 establish them in some part of the garden that is 

 out of the sun for the better part of the day, under 

 a high-branching tree or in the shadow of a shrub 

 or some thick-growing plants. Cover the bulbs 

 with a good top-dressing and remove it carefully in 

 the Spring so the tender shoots will not be broken. 

 The bulbs should not come into contact with ma- 

 nure, and should be fertilized from the surface with 

 a rich mulch that must be kept soaked in dry 

 weather. It is safer to set them in a handful of 

 sand so that drainage will be provided, for Lily 

 bulbs are very delicate and susceptible to rot, es- 

 pecially those that are constructed of scales. To 

 keep down the mice, scatter "rat biskit" liberally 

 on the surface of the bed among the young plants, 

 for mice are very fond of the succulent green shoots. 

 To afford shelter for Lilies and to provide a good 

 base of foliage for the long stems, Funkias may be 

 planted in the bed near them. Funkia grandiflora 

 alba, which bears a sweet-scented white blossom, 



