258 breck's new book op elowees. 



what is generally denominated the root, is a scaly bulb, 

 the scales being laid over each other in an imbricate form, 

 inclosmg the bud. The bulb is not a root, strictly speak- 

 ing, but a bud containing the embryo of the future plant. 

 The roots are thrown out from very short stems at the 

 bottom of these bulbs, or buds, and, unlike the fibres of 

 the Tulip, are perennial ; and on their strength depends, 

 in a great measure, the vigor of the future plant. Bulbs, 

 long kept out of ground, are very much weakened, and a 

 number of years will elaj^se before they recover strength 

 to bloom in great perfection. After the flowering of the 

 Lily, in August, the foliage of many species decays ; the 

 bulbs then are in the most perfect state for transplanting. 

 If they are permitted to remain long after this, and the 

 foliage begins to start again, they will not bloom so strong 

 the next year. The Lily should not be moved any oftener 

 than is necessary. It is not like the Tulip and many other 

 bulbs, which are not injured, but rather improved, by tak- 

 ing them up annually after flowering. The Lily will flour- 

 ish in any well prepared border or bed. To have them 

 in perfection, excavate the soil eighteen inches deep, 

 and fill up with a compost of peat, or swamp muck, 

 undecayed manure, or leaf mould, a foot deep; the re- 

 maining six inches may be peat and rich mould. The 

 bulbs of strong-growing Lilies may be planted from four 

 to five inches deep ; and weaker sorts from three to four 

 inches. In the borders, three bulbs, of the stronger-grow- 

 ing varieties, are enough fi)r one group, or five, of the 

 weaker sorts. They have a pleasing effect when in mas- 

 ses ; or they may be planted in beds. Most of the species 

 are quite hardy ; but they will all be benefitted, and bloom 

 more strongly, provided they receive a covering of rotten 

 manure before winter sets in. 



Lilium candidum. — The Wliite Lily. — This species has 

 always been considered the emblem of ])urity, and is too 



