i6o GARDENS PAST AND PRESENT 



Madonna lily, the saffron lily, and various kinds 

 of martagon, have been inhabitants of English 

 gardens for hundreds of years. Not long ago the 

 saffron lily (L. croceum) was branded as a vulgar 

 flower. It is doubtful whether the word is appli- 

 cable to any flower ; but this lily is certainly hardy 

 and vigorous, and holds up its orange cups with 

 dauntless mien, asking little but to be placed where 

 its strong tone will not clash with some incon- 

 gruous colour, and to be left alone. Even if vul- 

 gar be used as a synonym for " common," the 

 epithet will hardly hold good, for the old-fashioned 

 orange or saffron lily has almost ceased to be com- 

 mon, and its splendid colour would enliven many 

 a shrubbery border with advantage. 



White lilies, alack, do not thrive everywhere, and 

 sometimes despise the best efforts of good gar- 

 deners, but may often be seen doing well against 

 a cottage wall where they get a little shelter from 

 overhanging eaves. Protection from cold winds 

 and a soil that is moderately dry and not too rich 

 or stiff is prescribed by some lily connoisseurs, yet 

 they must not be starved ; and so great an authority 

 as the late Mr G. F. Wilson gave it as his opinion 

 that where difficulties occur with these beautiful 

 old-time lilies they may often be " conquered by 

 kindness." In all cases this particular lily is 

 worth any trouble to establish in gardens grand 

 or gardens simple. 



One of the most satisfactory of the better-known 

 sorts, from all points of view, is the tiger lily, 

 which gives no anxiety whatever, for it seems to 

 thrive everywhere, and is easily multiplied by the 



