l8 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



THE LILY, (Lilium.) 



OUT-DOOR CULTURE. 



THIS genus, the type of an extensive order, numbers 

 upward of sixty species, and is eminently distinguished 

 for its surpassing loveliness, and its rare combination of 

 grandeur and chaste beauty. A remarkable feature in 

 this family of plants is, that it has no poor relations. In 

 a general collection of the species, all that can be 

 imagined desirable and perfect in floral forms will be 

 realized. A great inducement to the cultivation of 

 this genus is their ease of culture, and their almost 

 perfect hardiness, thriving with all the vigor of indig- 

 enous forms when planted in the flower border. All of 

 them delight in light, rich soil, such as is afforded by a 

 mixture of loam and well-rotted manure, and one uni- 

 form treatment is applicable under all circumstances to 

 the whole of the species ; all may be grown together in 

 the border, and remain undisturbed a number of years, 

 frequent removals being injurious, by destroying the 

 roots. All the species thrive best when planted in partial 

 shade, the shrubbery border, or in large beds in an open 

 grove. They are propagated by offsets or by scales. 



When the old bulbs have several small ones formed 

 around them, take them up in October, divide them into 

 single bulbs, and replant the large flowering bulbs im- 

 mediately in fresh, rich earth, where they are to flower. 

 Plant the small bulbs in a bed of the same kind of soil by 

 themselves ; let them remain until sufficiently large and 

 strong for flowering, which should require but two years; 

 then take them up, select the larger bulbs, and plant 

 them where they are to remain, taking care to enrich the 

 earth with well decomposed manure, the small ones to 



