20 NOTES ON LILIES 



object to the system of removing- bulbs from the ground every autumn - 

 the process may answer as a part of the forcing system, but is quite 

 unnatural, and weakens the plant by breaking off its nourishment. I 

 object to all forcing, because it is a patent way of destroying the bulbs, 

 which are compelled to over-exert themselves in the production of a good 

 head of flowers, for all that appears above the surface is taken out of the 

 bulb ; the rich soil does not compensate the bulb, it merely prompts it to 

 make new efforts until it is exhausted. Cultivators should recollect that 

 they cannot eat their apple and have it too ; and yet they force a bulb to 

 expand itself in flowers, and at the same time expect it to grow strong 

 and healthy, and increase in size. Your potting system I also abhor, for 

 it is calculated to do much injury unless the pots are thoroughly protected 

 from too much heat and too much cold ; for the pots being, I presume,, 

 porous, the roots extending to the sides will either be hardened and dried 

 by the sun, or nipped by the frost ; glazed pots are highly injurious, as 

 stopping a circulation of air." Mussooree. 



From our Indian Correspondent at Landour : 



" L. Polyphyllum does not give us any trouble to flower up here, 7,000 

 feet above the sea level ; but L. Wallichianum often fails, being brought 

 up to this altitude from the hottest valleys of these hills, and the low tem- 

 perature up here does not suit it. 



".I am afraid your Polyphyttum had too much of the hothouse treatment, 

 which I should say they did not want at all in England ; they require to 

 be planted deep, from 8 to 12 inches, in rather a rich soil and cold aspect, 

 slightly shaded. 



" The groundwork of its petals is greyish white, thickly covered or 

 dusted over with small lilac spots ; it is powerfully sweet-scented, bearing 

 from 1 to 20 flowers ; height of flower stem up to 7 feet. 



"It is brought from the interior of India. They are found between- 

 7,000 and 9,000 feet above the sea level, chiefly on the north face of 

 the mountains, preferring the cold and shady nooks." 



L. Neilglierrense. " Three noble blooms are now (Sept. 9th, 1876) in full 

 splendour at Heather Bank, and would form, as a group, a grand subject 

 for an accomplished flower painter. The full and rich buff tone of the 

 young flowers contrasts delicately and pleasingly with the light cream 

 colour of the more mature blossoms, and the three blooms of the different 

 ages now expanded, exhibit three distinct tones of colour. The flowers, 

 are larger and the tubes longer than in L. Longiflorum, from which this Lily 

 is also distinguished by the glowing yellow of the interior of the cup,, 

 shading into rich creamy buff towards the ends of the petals ; it appears 

 also to be of a more robust habit." Garden, vol. 10, p. 254. 



L. Neilgherrense. "In 1876, a specimen, grown by G. F. Wilson, was 

 awarded a First Class Certificate at South Kensington ; the flowers were 

 trumpet-shaped, fully 9 inches in length, the gracefully shaped reflexed 

 segments being of great substance and of a soft creamy yellow tint ; its 

 height varies from 2 to 4 feet, its blossoms are delicately perfumed, and it 

 undoubtedly deserves culture as one of the most noble of all the autumn- 

 flowering Lilies." Garden, vol. 10, p. 490. 



