AND THEIR CULTURE. 53, 



the lowest in England. Consequently, in dry summers, such as in- 

 that of 1874, in which no 'rain fell at Colchester for sixteen weeks, we 

 lose a great many bulbs. In 1871 a rainy season our bulbs, on 

 the other hand, did remarkably well, flowering very freely and turning 

 up in the autumn fine large roots, the stems studded with numerous 

 smaller offsets. This season again (1875), owing to the copious rains 

 of July, our Lilies have grown well, but the drought that followed in ; 

 August and September did mischief to the varieties of Auratum 

 planted in light dry soils ; but those planted in the valleys in cool 

 loam, especially where sheltered by Mulberry trees, and favoured by 

 the heavy dews arising from the low-lying meadows, have flowered 

 remarkably well, and the bulbs have turned up to our complete satis- 

 faction. I may further add, that we have not the great natural 

 advantage which Mr. Wilson possesses, of an abundant supply of peat 

 close at hand; our Lilies are in this respect somewhat at a disadvan- 

 tage. We grow out-of-doors nearly all the kinds in cultivation, both 

 recently-imported and home-grown bulbs, and having watched their 

 behaviour during dry and wet, hot and cold, summers, my observa- 

 tions may perhaps be thought worthy of record. I may further add, 

 that in our light soil on the hills of Colchester, we have no fear of 

 spring frosts hurting L. Longiflorum, A.urcdum, or Speciosum, the air 

 being too dry; but in the valleys it is another matter altogether. 

 The more I see of this beautiful tribe the more I am convinced that 

 Lilies require, so far as their roots are concerned, a cool bottom, 

 abundant moisture, and, for most kinds, a free drainage ; for instance, 

 the slope of a hill facing south-east or south-west, with water from 

 above percolating through the sub-soil, so as always to afford a 

 supply, yet without stagnation, would be an admirable site. The 

 formation of the tall erect Lily stem, having its flower buds concealed 

 at the top, suggests the idea that it is naturally destined to find its 

 way upwards among low-growing herbage and shrubs into the full 

 light of day, to mature in sunshine its flowers and seed pods. Such, 

 at any rate, is the account given us by our Indian correspondent of 

 the beautiful and stately L. Wallichianum, whose noble large white 

 flowers may be noticed miles away from the opposite bank of a deep 

 Himalayan valley, growing some 10 or 12 feet in height, yet only 

 just peering out above the surrounding brushwood and jungle." 



I have noticed, more especially in the Martagon section, and 

 .among the North American forms, but in a less degree in many 

 other Lilies, that fresh roots are found very soon after the flowering 

 time ; there is a brief period of rest coincident with the drying up 

 of the foliage, and the growth recommences with the autumnal 

 rains. If in October, a bulb of Puberulum or Speciosum is lifted, 

 fresh healthy roots are found actively at work, if one may judge 

 from their enlarged bulbous extremities, thickly fringed with 

 raycelioid processes ; further, if a few roots be dried, and then exposed 



