THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 



We propose now to introduce to the attention of our readers a sweet little flower admirably 



adapted both for winter blooming and out-door culture, 

 and yet we seldom see this little favorite, even in large 

 collections. One reason of this, we suppose, is that its 

 management has not been generally understood. A 

 portion of the buds produce only leaves, and, of course, 

 if these are planted disappointment is the result. Florists 

 now keep for sale well matured buds, or pips, as now 

 called, the appearance of which we have shown in the 

 engraving. They can be purchased for sixty cents a 

 dozen, or rather, brought to your post-office for that price. 

 These may be planted from three to half a dozen in a 

 pot, according to its size. Keep them in a tolerably warm 

 place, never allowing them to suffer for water, and if 

 somewhat dark, just as well for a week or two. Then 

 bring them to the light. In about four or five weeks from 

 potting flowers will be produced. By placing a little 

 moss around the lower part of the pips, and then plant- 

 ing them, they can be grown in 

 boxes by the dozen, and then 

 removed to any fancy pots, or 

 baskets, or vases, where it is 

 desirable they should flower. 

 Indeed, they can be grown in 

 moss entirely, just as well as 

 in earth, as they make little or 

 no root before flowering, and, 

 of course, can be put into glasses 

 of water, and, in fact, be 

 handled as they are about to 

 come into flower in almost any 

 way to suit the convenience of 

 the grower. 



As the pips are not' injured 

 by frost, and are small, they can 

 be sent by mail with safety any 

 time during the winter, and by 



procuring a dozen and making four plantings, two weeks apart, flowers can be secured during a 



long season. Keep the pips in a cool, moist place until planted, covered with moss or saw-dust. 



The engraving shows a pot with a little group of the Lily of the Valley in flower. The name 



of the Lily of the Valley is Convallaria majalis. 



PLANTS INSTEAD OF SEEDS. 



In addition to the plants already noticed, there are a few that we have described in 

 our list of plants to be grown from seed, that some people prefer to obtain in a more speedy way, 

 and therefore like to procure plants that will flower the first season. This is the case with the 

 GARDEN PINKS, CARNATIONS and PICOTEES. Good plants of either, set out in the spring, will 

 flower freely during the summer, and will also furnish layers for new plants. Plants of the 

 DAISY, also, can be obtained, either spring or autumn, and generally with flowers and buds, 

 for the Daisy gives its best flowers in fall and spring, and does not object to removal. 

 The HOLLYHOCK, too, many are so anxious to obtain that they prefer plants to seeds. In 

 the north, plant only in the spring. Almost every one prefers plants of that beautiful grass, 

 ERIANTHUS RAVENNA. That useful Climber, the PERENNIAL PEA, grows rapidly from strong roots. 



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