274 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



twelve gorgeous flowers of virgin white, in May and June. 

 The bulb is composed of imbricated scales without odor, 

 and of a disagreeable flavor. It contains a small portion 

 of an acrid principle, and much mucilage, which is 

 greatly diminished by boiling. It has been used for the 

 dropsy. The odor of the flowers is imparted to oil or 

 bear's grease, and is used by perfumers ; mixed with lard 

 it is used as a liniment, as a soothing application for ex* 

 ternal inflammation. It appears to have sprung up in the 

 heathen mythology, and was called Juno's Rose. It was 

 known and cultivated in the Jewish nation. 



* So mixed the Rose and Lily's white, 

 That nature seemed uncertain quite, 

 To deck her cheek, what flower she chose, 

 The Lily white, or blushing Rose, 



The White Lily will grow in any soil, but it prefers one 

 rather light than binding. It is increased by offsets. The 

 bulbs should be taken up in July, after the leaves and stem 

 die down, and should not be kept out of the ground over six 

 weeks. Separate the offsets, and then plant them accord- 

 ing to fancy, round the garden ; if in rows, about eighteen 

 inches apart. This bulbous root is so hardy as to require 

 no protection in the winter. 



