ATSTD CONSERTATORT, 91 



In making arrangements for growing liliums in pots it is 

 advisable to grow a portion of each kind in large and a portion 

 in small pots, the former for front rows and the latter for 

 intermixing with the tall-growing subjects at the back. For 

 small specimens six-inch pots should be employed, and one 

 bulb put in each ; and for the large specimens pots ranging 

 from eight to twelve inches in diameter should be used, and 

 have from four to eight bulbs in each. 



The proper moment for shaking out of the old soil, or for 

 shifting the bulbs into other pots, is as early in the autumn 

 as possible, and the decay of the stems will afford the best 

 indication of the proper time for the work to be done. If it 

 is desired to give the bulbs a fresh compost without increasing 

 the size of the pot, they must be carefully shaken out of the 

 old soil, without injuring whatever healthy roots they may have 

 attached to them. They will not suffer very materially if all the 

 roots are removed when repotted at the period here mentioned, 

 but it is preferable to preserve them from injury, if it can be 

 conveniently done. Those to be shifted into larger pots 

 should not be shaken out altogether, but a portion of the old 

 soil should be removed. It is highly advantageous to shift the 

 bulbs on without divesting them of every particle of soil, for 

 it is in this manner that the magnificent specimens of L. 

 auratmn which have been exhibited have been obtained, some 

 of them presenting nearly a hundred flowers fully expanded at 

 one time. If shifted early, they will be furnished with healthy 

 roots, which will be of immense assistance in promoting a 

 vigorous growth from the first. On the other hand, when 

 repotted in the spring the production of roots and the growth 

 of the stem go on simultaneously, and a poor bloom is the 

 result. 



Lilies should have a rather light and moderately-rich com- 

 post, consisting of turfy loam one part, fibrous peat one part, 

 and partly-decayed horse-droppings, and leaf-mould, in equal 

 proportions, one part, all well incorporated together. If the 

 peat is not of a sandy character, add a small proportion of 

 washed road-grit, or river sand, or sharp silver-sand. "We 

 have frequently used loam containing no fibrous matter what- 

 ever, and have made up for the deficiency by the addition of a 

 small proportion of cocoa-nut fibre refuse. The soil must be 

 pressed rather firm, so as to give the plants all the food 

 possible. The drainage must be perfect ; and if a few oyster- 



