The Fire-Lily. 133 



THE FIRE-LILY. 



Lillum bulbi/crum, and its variety Z. icmbellatum, are sometimes called 

 by this name, which the flaming orange-crimson of their flowers well merits. 

 It is surprising that this, one of the most splendid of lilies for garden deco- 

 ration, should be so little known in this countiy. In Europe, it is greatly 

 prized, though it has been in cultivation for many generations. Innumera- 

 ble varieties have been raised from it, differing in shade, size, height, and 

 somewhat also in the time of blooming; though all bloom during June and 

 July. 



The flowers of the fire-lily are borne in large clusters at the top of an 

 upright stem, often to the number of ten, twelve, or more. Each flower, 

 when grown in good soil, is five inches or more in diameter, and set erect 

 on the stem, like a cup. Some varieties will reach a diameter of six inches. 

 Sometimes the color is a bright orange, passing into yellow towards the 

 base of the petal : in other varieties it is deepened to a vivid orange-crim- 

 son, very brilliant when the flower first opens. Usually there are small 

 black spots on the lower half of the petal. When from six to twelve bulbs 

 are set in a clump, a gorgeous mass of bloom is the result. 



No lily is of easier cultivation, more hardy, or more healthy. It will 

 thrive in common garden soil enriched with well-rotted manure ; but it is 

 always grateful for a liberal admixture of peat or leaf-mould. Unlike some 

 other lilies, it does not, however, exact this treatment, but will do very well 

 in common loam if not too cold and heavy. The autumn is the best time 

 to plant it \ and in the May following it will push its strong, fleshy shoots 

 up through the soil with such force, that they will lift, or push aside, any 

 small stone in their way. These shoots, when they first appear, are of a 

 deep green, often shaded with a dark purplish hue, forming a dense head 

 of undeveloped leaves regularly imbricated, and reminding one, by its 

 shape, of a double zinnia. The leaves, when completely formed, are of a 

 deep, shining green, densely set along the stem, which is from two to four 

 feet high, crowned in the blooming season with its gorgeous mass of 

 flowers. 



This lily is the same sometimes called Lilium fulgens. The number of 



