iv.] SOIL- MANURE MOISTURE- DRAIN A GE 149 



round, in the open border we may admire them each in 

 their season. 



There are Lilies which will grow in any ordinary 

 soil ; rich, loamy soil suits best for the larger number ; 

 some want plenty of sand to keep the soil free, and there 

 are others which require leaf mould or peat to be mixed 

 with the ordinary soil. 



L. chalcedonicum dislikes peat ; tigrinum, auratum^ 

 Canadense do badly without it. 



If the bulbs are healthy, manure, specially in the 

 liquid forms, such as " Clay's Fertilizer " may be used with 

 advantage to most sorts. 



The bulbs are best planted 6 inches below the 

 surface, which should be mulched over with short half- 

 decayed dung and leaves or with cocoanut fibre to pro- 

 tect from frost. Dr Wallace, who has given much 

 attention to their culture, says in one of his Notes : 

 " Lilies, so far as their roots are concerned, require a 

 cool bottom soil, abundant moisture, and, for most kinds, 

 a free drainage." He adds : " Plant deep 6 to 8 inches, 

 so that the roots may easily get down to a moist sub-soil, 

 and so be protected from the scorching, drying influence 

 of the sun's rays." 



The early autumn is the best time for planting, so 

 that the roots may be at work through winter. They 

 should be put into a cool, shady border, not exhausted 

 by roots of trees. 



Valotta purpurea (The Scarborough Lily) is one 

 of these half-hardy bulbs which ought to be more 



