BULBOUS FLOWERS in 



exposed to cold, sweeping winds. Never plant directly underneath trees, 

 but if possible at some distance away the trees will then give them the 

 required shade ; nor in a hot, dry corner, or in a cold, wet, heavy soil, or 

 where the soil is water-logged. If planted near a lake or a large expanse 

 of water, the young growths will need protection from late spring frosts. 

 L. Henryi, auratum, longiflorum, speciosum, are specially liable to injury 

 from this cause. In Rhododendron beds and amongst low-growing 

 shrubs they always do well, and in no position do they show up so effec- 

 tively as when backed by the rich deep-green leaves of the shrubbery. 

 The beds at Kew near the Palm House are excellent examples of this 

 mode of culture. Therefore in a few words, and at the risk of repeating 

 myself, the best positions for Lilies are those that afford partial shade, 

 protection from spring frosts and hot midday sun, and that give coolness 

 and moisture at the root. 



" Having found the right position for Lilies, the next thing is to see 

 that we give them the best and most suitable soil for their requirements. 

 One can generally do this, even if an ideal position is not to be found. 

 The different soils suitable for successful cultivation I have divided 

 roughly into three classes : 



" First, any good garden soil of a fair depth, well dug before plant- 

 ing, is suitable for such good growing kinds as L. Browni, candidum, chal- 

 cedonicum, croceum, excelsum, Hansoni, Henryi, Martagon (purple), 

 pyrenaicum, ihunbergianum, tigrinum, and umbellatum ; these will all 

 flourish in any good border soil with fair treatment. 



" Secondly, Lilies that prefer a strong soil, such as a good, rich, friable 

 loam, not too heavy, viz. L. auratum platyphyllum, Batemanice, Columbi- 

 anum, Humboldti, Humboldti magnificum, Martagon album, dalmaticum, 

 pomponium verwn, rubescens, speciosum, Szovitzianum, Washingtonianum, 

 and Wallichianum super bum. 



" Thirdly, we come to those that require peat and moisture, viz. Bur- 

 banki, canadense, Grayi, pardalinum, Parryi, Philadelphicum, Roezlii 

 superbum. The above lists represent, in my opinion, those Lilies which 

 can be grown with little trouble. Those in the first list will succeed in 

 any ordinary border under conditions inferior to those already described 

 as essential for perfect cultivation. Those in the second list require a 

 certain amount of partial shade and coolness at the root, and are suitable 

 for planting in Rhododendron beds and amongst low-growing shrubs. 

 Finally, the third group comprises those that require a cool, shady spot 

 such as the edge of a pond or stream, or in a woodland glade. In addi- 

 tion to the species mentioned, there are a great number which are capable 

 of successful cultivation with a little extra care, varieties which to an 

 enthusiast would be indispensable. Having found the right position 

 and soil, the next step is to see about planting the bulbs, and at what 

 time this is best done. On -this point great divergence of opinion exists 

 among the general public (I am not now speaking of Lily enthusiasts). 

 In fact, I should say more Lilies are planted in the spring months than 

 in the autumn ; whereas it is plain to all those who look into the matter 

 that autumn is the best time to plant most of the species. A Lily when 



