ii2 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



in full growth is performing two functions one developing, by means of 

 its stem, the flowers, and the other, by means of its basal roots, the bulb 

 for next year's growth so that it requires as much attention to its wants 

 below the ground as above. All Lilies do not have similar root action ; 

 there are two classes. First, those that make two sets of roots, one from 

 the base of the bulb, the other from the bottom of the flower stem. 

 Second, the Lily that only produces roots from the base of the bulbs. 



" Now it is obvious which Lily requires early planting and which 

 Lily can be planted late with reasonable hope of success. Those Lilies 

 that have only basal roots to depend upon must be well established before 

 they can flower with any degree of success ; as, unless they are well 

 rooted, the stem has nothing to draw from and feed on except the bulb, 

 which naturally suffers. Whereas those that have two root actions 

 may be planted almost at any time, for as soon as the stem is about six 

 inches high, roots may be observed breaking out in small rings round 

 the base of it, which grow with exceeding vigour, and help and support 

 the stem to produce its flowers almost independently of the bulb. I 

 have often noticed when lifting L. auratum that those bulbs which had 

 plenty of basal roots had new, well-formed bulb growth, whereas, when 

 it was absent, the bulb had flowered by means of the stem roots and 

 then collapsed. 



" Lilium Martagon and its varieties, chalcedonieum, Szovitzianum, 

 dalmaticum, Hwnboldti, and others of a similar character, only produce 

 basal roots. The root action commences about the middle of October 

 or earlier, and continues during the winter. Therefore, if it is necessary 

 to lift the bulbs, it is best to do so before root action takes place, for if 

 the bulb be lifted after root action has commenced, and the roots damaged 

 or dried, it receives a serious check, and will only produce a weak growth. 



" I lift my bulbs early, and keep them cool and moist in cocoa fibre, 

 and plant them again not later than December, when root action at once 

 commences, and not much time is lost. And I think that there is not 

 much doubt that the late planting of Martagon Lilies, and after root 

 action has been checked, is the cause of their partial failure the first 

 season. Good, sound, imported bulbs of Japanese Lilies, which now 

 arrive in excellent condition during the early part of the year, may be 

 planted as late as March and April with every confidence as to the result, 

 provided they are in a fresh and sound condition for planting when 

 received. 



" As a general rule, when planting bulbs, they should be put in the 

 soil about three times their own depth ; the soil should be well dug, 

 and it is beneficial if a little peat, turfy loam, leaf soil, and sea sand be 

 added. This latter (the sea sand) should be placed all round the bulbs : 

 in fact, we use sea sand to a very large extent, generally covering the 

 bulb entirely with it. It is always moist, and being of a gritty nature 

 prevents the attacks of slugs and grubs, and also keeps the soil from 

 setting fast round the bulbs. 



" I would recommend, when planting Lilies amongst Rhododendrons 

 and shrubs, the using of old tubs cut in half with the bottoms knocked 



