44 LILIES 



or May; but spring planting at best is a poor 

 second choice no matter how great the care, 

 the bulbs are apt to be shriveled. 



Plumpness is very important to the strength 

 of lily bulbs. As some of them will shrivel if 

 allowed to dry for only a day or so, it is best 

 to plant them at once. If they are slightly 

 shriveled when received, they can be plumped 

 by laying them on moist cocoanut fiber in a 

 cool place for a few days. Bulbs that show 

 signs of a little decay or mold, may be disin- 

 fected by sprinkling a little powered charcoal 

 or sulphur over them; but if badly off in this 

 respect, or much shriveled, they would better be 

 thrown away. The bulb scales protect the germ 

 and must be in at least fair condition. 



It is always a good plan to dust lily bulbs with 

 powdered sulphur, letting it get under the scales, 

 before planting; this to prevent fungous dis- 

 ease. Excepting in extremely light soil, it is 

 also a good plan to put a little sand under and 

 all around the bulb. A little peat under the 

 bulb promotes root growth and in the case of 

 the Nankeen lily a couple of inches of fresh 

 sphagnum has been tried with success. 



If the lily bed is not protected by growing 

 shrubs, there should be provision made against 



