PROPAGATION OF LILIES. 109 



rare or valuable variety, and finds the ordinary mode too 

 slow. In most species they do not increase by division, 

 the usual method, more than at the rate of doubling an- 

 nually. There are two rapid modes of propagation, both 

 simple enough to be practised by any one, even without 

 the aid of green-house or frames, although in the mode to 

 which we will first allude, the aid of glass will save some 

 time in the operation. On examination of the bulb of any 

 of the lilies, it will be seen to be made up of a number of 

 scales, varying in number from twenty to nearly a hund- 

 red, according to the size of the bulb ; from five to twen- 

 ty of these may be broken off from the outer circle of 

 scales without injury to the bulb. Now 

 at the base of each scale is a latent bud, 

 which under certain conditions develops 

 itself as a small bulb. The conditions 

 are simply to press the scale down up- 

 right in some light, sandy compost, so 

 that its upper part is level with, or a little 

 below the surface of the compost ; give 

 it then a slight watering, and in from one 

 to two months bulblets will be formed-^ as 

 shown in figure 37. The best way is to 

 use shallow boxes for the purpose, and be- 

 gin the operation about the first of Febru- j\g. 37. SCALE OF 



ary. Keep the boxes in a temperature of LILY - 



from 50 to 60, either in the green-house or dwelling- 

 house, for there is no occasion for direct light, and the bulb- 

 lets will be formed so that the boxes may be set out in the 

 open garden in May. It is best to plunge the boxes in 

 the soil, undisturbed, level with the surface, so that they 

 will have greater uniformity of moisture. Treated thus, 

 the scales will make bulbs of the size of crocus by fall. It 

 is better not to disturb the bulbs in the fall, but merely 

 cover the boxes, on the approach of severe weather, with 

 three or four inches of rough litter or leaves, allowing 



