70 MASSACHUSETTS nORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



L. pardaUmim (sometimes called "leopard lily") is line and 

 hardy. L. excelsum,, (bright buff) is one of the most beautiful 

 lilies we have in cultivation. L. Brownii is rare and costly; and 

 with its peculiar purple outside and the pure white, waxy inside 

 presents a striking contrast to L. loncjijlorum and the varieties of 

 that species. L. Leichllini, L. monadelphum and L. Parryi are all 

 fine yellow varieties. All the varieties of L. Martagon are good. 

 L. Chalcedonicum (Scarlet Turk's Cap) is one of the best. L. 

 tenuifoUum, one of the earliest (if not the earliest), is a lovely 

 scarlet lily, with reflexed petals and ver}- slender stems and foli- 

 age. L. pomponium. verum is ver}' much like L. tenia'foUum^ but 

 is a little more robust and flowers a little later. There are many 

 inexpensive species like Thunbergicnium, ^imhellatxim, and tirjri- 

 num and its varieties which are showy and perfectl}' hardy. I 

 have not intended to give a complete list of lilies, and indeed have 

 only mentioned those which I have mj-self grown. 



There is no special mode of cultivation : at least, there are no 

 precisely uniform conditions of soil and exposure that are impera- 

 tive. I have seen equall}' fine lilies grown on high and on low 

 land. But on low land they will not thrive unless the soil is 

 thoroughly drained, for water at the roots, or wet heavy soil, is 

 fatal. Therefore drain the wet soil thoroughly ; and make it light 

 and rich. Remember it ia not the bulb that needs feeding, but the 

 roots beneath it. If the soil is light, make it rich ; and between 

 the bulbs plant annuals, or some light bedding plants, which wil^ 

 serve to keep the surface cool and moist. 



The Ikis in its many varieties is one of the best of our hardy 

 garden tubers. It increases rai)idly and forms large clumps, and 

 I believe all the varieties are hard}'. This genus is widely repre- 

 sented, many countries contributing. The English, Spanish, and 

 German species form, as their names indicate, a European group. 

 Japan contributes the best of all — /. Kcempferi. This iris has a 

 very wide range of color, and some of the blossoms strikingly re- 

 semble some varieties of valuable orchids. All of the genus are 

 of the easiest culture, abundant moisture being tlie chief require- 

 ment. Some soils that are fatal to the lily will suit the iris. Large 

 quantities are annually imported from Holland, and many are 

 grown in this country. Except for new varieties, the home grown 

 are the most valuable. 



IIekbackous P/EONIEs arc reliable garden plants. I sa}' reliable 



