PROPAGATION BY BULBELS. 27 



more nearly equal portions, as in Lilium candidum, shown 

 one-third natural size in Fig. 19. The parts may be separated 

 and treated as complete bulbs for purposes of propagation. 

 This division or separation of bulbs proceeds in a different 

 manner in nearly every species, yet it is so obvious that the 

 novice need not be perplexed by it. Almost any breaking 

 apart of these loose bulbs, if only a ''heart " or central axis 

 remains in each portion, is successful for purposes of slow 

 multiplication ; but when flowers are desired it is usually- 

 advisable to keep the bulbs as strong and compact as pos- 

 sible. 



Bulbous plants multiply most easily by means of bulbels 

 often also called bulbules and offsets or small bulbs 

 which are borne about a large or mother bulb. In some 

 lilies, as Lilium candidum, the bulbels form at the top or 

 crown of the mother bulb, and a circle of roots will be found 

 between them and the bulb ; in others, as L. speciosum and 

 L. auratum, they form on the lower part of the flower stalk. 

 In some species the bulbels are few and very large, or even 

 single, and they bloom the following year. In such cases 

 the bulb undergoes a progressive movement from year to 

 year after the manner of rootstocks, the bulb of one year 

 bearing a more or less distinct one 

 above and beyond it, which con- 

 tinues the species, while the old 

 one becomes weak or dies. This 

 method of bulb formation is seen 

 in the cut of Lilium pardalinum, 

 Fig. 20. In the hyacinth the bul- 

 bels form at the base of the bulb. 



Bulbels vary greatly in size and 

 frequency in different species. 

 Sometimes they are no larger than 20 . Bulb of Lilium parda- 

 a grain of wheat the first year, and linum (x^). 



in other plants they are as large as hickory-nuts. In some 

 species they are borne habitually underneath the scales of 

 the mother bulb. These bulbels are often removed when 



