THK COMMON SIIHUBBEIIY. 



63 



altnut liavdy ])liints tlian natnralisiii^- the Lily of the Valley 

 in pleasant spots about a coimtiy house, it is in every gar- 

 den, of course, and very often so crowded and so starved that 

 it seldom flowers well. A bare garden border is not so suit- 

 able for it as that in wliich it may be found in a thin wood, 

 or in little openings in a copse, where it enjoys enough 

 light, and gets shelter too. Frequently the fresh wood soil 

 would be more welcome to it than the worn-out soil in a 

 garden ; also by planting it in various positions and soils, we 



Tlie Lily of tfie Valley in a copse. 



may secure an important difference as regards blooming. 

 In a cool woody place it would bloom ten days later 

 than in an exposed warm garden border, and this difference 

 could lie increased by carefully selecting the position. Apart 

 altogether from the wild garden and its charms, this difference 

 in the time of blooming of the Lily of the Yalley would be a 

 great advantage to all who have to provide cut flowers, inas- 

 much as it w^ould give them late l)loom in plenty without 

 trouble. However, giving reasons for the naturalisation of 

 the Lily of the Valley is surely unnecessary. The only sur- 



