Lilies Montbretia 



fancy, and they are in public demand from the moment florists are 

 able to place them on the market. 



Whether for early or late spring forcing, or for planting in the 

 open ground, the most vigorous strain should be chosen, and there 

 is one which is incomparably superior to all others, producing finer 

 spikes and larger individual flowers. As a rule these roots are 

 obtainable in November, but, if necessary, it is far better to wait 

 a week or two than attempt to force such as have been lifted 

 prematurely. 



The crowns may be potted, and where few are grown this is the 

 usual course. The large growers pack them in boxes, with a little 

 fine soil, and cover the tops with about four inches of cocoa-nut fibre. 

 For the earliest supply a temperature of 90 is necessary, accom- 

 panied with plenty of moisture. After the spikes of bloom show the 

 temperature may be slightly reduced, and the fibre must be removed 

 to afford the leaves an opportunity of maturing. When sufficiently 

 advanced the plants should be transferred to pots for the conservatory 

 or the decoration of windows. Successive supplies can be brought 

 forward with less heat. 



In the open a partially shaded position should be selected. The 

 soil must be freely manured, and a good proportion of leaf-mould 

 should be worked in. Single crowns may be planted at a distance 

 of six inches from each other, and they should be supplied with liquid 

 manure during the growing period. After four, or at most five years, 

 they will become too crowded, when they should be lifted, and the 

 largest and finest crowns be selected for the formation of a fresh bed. 



Japanese Day Lily (Hemerocallis Kwanso fl. pL). Admirably 

 adapted for pot culture to decorate the conservatory, the rich variega- 

 tion of its graceful curling leaves affording an elegant display of colour 

 in the early months of the year, and its fine double flowers being 

 extremely showy during their short blooming season. As this variety 

 is quite hardy, it may be planted in the select border with perfect 

 safety, and, in common with other Day Lilies, it bears the shade of 

 trees remarkably well. This is certainly one of the handsomest 

 hardy plants in cultivation. 



MONTBRETIA 



OF this useful autumn-flowering bulb there are several varieties, but 

 M. crocosmiceflora is unquestionably superior to the others. In the 



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