172 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



Lupin are beautiful, and are propagated by seed or divi- 

 sion of the roots, the same as other perennials. They re- 

 quire a rich sandy loam to grow them to advantage. 



LILY OF THE VALLEY. 



(CONVALLARIA MAJALIS.) 



" Seek the banks, where flowering elders crowd ; 

 Where scattered wide, the Lily of the vale, 

 Its balmy essence breathes ; where cowslips hang 

 The dewy head ; where purple violets lurk, 

 With all the lovely children of the shade." 



This Lily is, generally speaking, a great favorite. It is 

 a native of Europe, and perennial in duration. The flow- 

 ers are small, sweet scented, and found growing in the 

 copses in England, bearing their beautiful globe shape, 

 companulate, white, drooping flowers in May. The scape 

 is half cylindrical ; the leaves two, ovate, lanceolate, radi- 

 cal, something resembling the Tulip, except being slightly- 

 striped. The modest appearance of this flower is certainly 

 a great recommendation, independent of its fragrance. It 

 is said that its perfume has attraction, and draws the night- 

 ingale. This, I presume, is a mistaken notion ; for there 

 are other flowers in England whose fragrance is by far 

 superior to the Lily of the Valley. It should be borne in 

 mind, that the nightingale delights in retired situations, 

 away from the bustle and noise of the farm house, like the 



