CHAPTER X 

 LILIES 



HITHERTO Lilies, apart from Amaryllids, have been left out 

 of consideration, because the subject is too large to be dis- 

 missed with a mere paragraph. It is obvious, however, that 

 they are almost the most important amongst flowering bulbs 

 for the unheated greenhouse in late spring and summer, not 

 only on account of their intrinsic beauty, but from their 

 adaptability to varied circumstances. Certain kinds, like L. 

 giganteum, and perhaps, on account of its' overpowering 

 scent except in the open air, L. auratum, are only suited for 

 outdoor culture. Others are admirably adapted for planting 

 out, where the structure is large and airy. Probably no more 

 lovely greenhouse picture could be devised than a well- 

 planned Lily garden under glass, with, perhaps, by a counter- 

 feit of nature, a streamlet running through it into a rocky 

 pool, where groups of Lilies might grow amidst and out of 

 fitting foliage, screened the while from all the dangers, alike 

 of sun and storm. But such arrangements, though far from 

 impossible, are scarcely within the scope of all, and perhaps 

 the topic most generally useful relates to Lilies suitable for 

 pots. 



Only a few, in proportion, out of the many beautiful Lilies 

 now grown can be considered well adapted for this purpose. 

 Some, like L. szovitzianum and L. excelsum ( = L. testaceum), 

 are too tall, others will not submit to being cramped at the 

 roots, like some of the North American swamp Lilies, and 



