148 LILIES 



the judgment of certain high authorities who recog- 

 nise in it a distinct species. But whereas in the Kew 

 Hand List it still figures as a variety, I give myself the 

 benefit of the doubt. The type only wants to be 

 purged of dinginess in its purple to be a fine thing ; 

 but the white variety at its best is a dream of beauty, 

 and we have succeeded here in raising it true from seed 

 less about 25 per cent, of broken shades, some of which 

 are quite desirable. The Dalmatian variety, with turn- 

 caps of intense maroon, almost black, forms a striking 

 contrast to the white martagon; but unluckily it 

 generally flowers a fortnight later. 



Now ruffle drums and flourish trumpets, for July 

 shall not have fully sped before the Royal Lily 

 (L. regale) shall unveil her charms. How shall I 

 celebrate them worthily, unless by taking a slight 

 liberty with poor threadbare Horace ? 



' Micat inter omnes 

 IMiv/m princeps, velut inter ignes 

 Luna minores.' 



You have allowed me to name six favourites: had 

 you bound me down to one, this should have been my 

 choice. Nay, had I but a single square yard of ground 

 to cultivate, the Royal Lily should have it all to 

 herself. Nor would you think me crazy had you seen 

 her in splendour last summer stems all but six feet 

 high, slender but firm as whalebone, set with curving 

 linear leaves and culminating in a coronal of trumpets, 

 purple without, marble-white within, with a clear wash 

 of gold in the throat. This paragon of lilies is of fault- 

 less constitution, demanding only good deep loam, plenty 



