PROPAGATION. 153 



By Bulbils. In the axils of the leaves of Lilium bul- 

 biferum and tigrinum tiny bulbs frequently develop. If 

 these are removed in early autumn and sown in shallow 

 boxes of sandy loam and leaf-mould, and treated like 

 seeds, keeping the box in a cold frame, they will make 

 little plants to plant out the succeeding year, and flower 

 in the fourth or fifth year. The Boussingaultia produces 

 similar tubers on its stems, and these may be treated 

 in the same way. 



By Scales. Another method by which lilies may be 

 increased is by pulling off the large fleshy scales at the 

 base of the bulb, and inserting these half-way in a box 

 of light sandy soil, placing the box in a cold frame for 

 a few weeks, then removing it to a warm greenhouse. In 

 due course little bulblets will form at the base of the 

 scale, and, when this takes place, gradually harden the 

 bulbs off and plant out in prepared soil in the open. 



By Division. Gladioli that have two or more buds 

 developed on a corm may be divided into as many parts 

 with a sharp knife. Do this at planting time, and rub 

 the wounds over with slaked lime or sulphur to stop bleed- 

 ing of the tissue. The same applies to tuberous-rooted 

 begonias and caladiums. In the last two cases dust the 

 wounds with flowers of sulphur. 



By Leaf Cutting's. Gloxinias are readily increased 

 by means of their fleshy leaves. For this purpose fully- 

 developed fleshy leaves must be chosen. One method is 

 to fill a shallow pan with a compost of equal parts peat, 

 leaf-mould, and silver sand, and cover the surface with 

 about Jin. of silver sand. The leaf should then be turned 

 over with its back uppermost, and the thick ribs cut 

 through where the laterals join the main rib. After this 

 is done reverse the leaf and lay it on the sand in the pan; 

 place a pebble here and there to keep it in position. Stand 



