THE LURE OP THE LILY 177 



Phloxes. Here was no frail delicacy or capriciousness, 

 and feeling that I had lost much time the Lily lists at 

 once became a source of absorbing interest and one 

 which necessitated much self-control, for Lilies bought 

 in any quantity are pretty expensive. 



All authorities tell us that no garden will grow all the 

 Lilies; indeed, to find half a dozen which will accept our 

 conditions is highly fortunate. I had no way of finding 

 out which ones were suited to my soil and situation and 

 so experiment was the only course, and after several 

 years' trial given to sixteen sorts can report that seven 

 have accepted the garden absolutely, three have not 

 quite made up their minds, and six will have none of us. 

 My experience with Lilies has been only in the garden 

 proper, grown in the beds and borders among other 

 hardy plants, but, of course, if one wishes to specialize a 

 bit it is possible to prepare beds for them filled with the 

 soil best suited to their needs, but my own interest is 

 only in finding those which need no greater considera- 

 tion than is given to the other hardy plants, and which 

 may be counted upon for a fine effect in their season. 

 There are about eighty known species of Lily, but for 

 those with aspirations akin to my own, and in our cli- 

 mate, I should say that the choice should be limited to 

 about twenty-five. 



One of the most important facts to know about Lilies 

 is that many have two sets of roots, one growing from 

 the base of the bulb in autumn to provide food for the 



