CHAPTER VIII 



FOURTH WEEK IN FEBRUARY 



/I LTHOUGH the autumn is the best time for planting 

 /\ in most cases, there are exceptions to this rule, the 

 more delicate lilies from Japan and other tropical 

 countries being amongst them, for the heavy cold rains of 

 winter are apt to destroy these bulbs whilst in a dormant 

 state, and are more dangerous for them than the frost. But 

 when once well established they will weather our winters, if 

 properly planted and slightly protected ; it is during their 

 first few months (when they too often have been deprived 

 of their lower roots for packing purposes) that they are in 

 the greatest danger ; home-grown bulbs, such as are now 

 produced by some of our horticulturists, being far more 

 likely to do well, as these can be obtained in an unmutilated 

 state, and are hardier, too, than those sent to England from 

 tropical lands. 



In planting liliums, it is well to remember that most 

 of them possess two quite different sets of roots, i.e., the 

 fleshy roots below the bulb (which should never be removed 

 or allowed to become very dry), and the many whorls qf 

 fibrous roots which spring from the annual stem as it grows, 

 which may be observed just above the surface of the soil, 

 hungrily searching for fresh food in summer. Singularly 

 enough, these two sets of roots each prefer their special 

 nourishment ; the lower roots must not come in contact 

 with animal manure, and should be planted in pure turfy 

 loam or peat, with plenty of sharp sand and a little char- 

 coal ; whilst the fibrous stem-roots are able to assimilate 



