184 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



its of food have been made, the increase will be in exact 

 ratio. Stimulating food will not do; it may, for a 

 period, show good results, but in the end a loss of vital- 

 ity and decay will be apparent. 



When To Plant. Our next consideration is when 

 to plant, and it is an important one. Planting at the 

 wrong time is a frequent cause of failure. There is but 

 a short period of the year when the bulbs are truly at 

 rest, and it is at that period that removals should be 

 made. These periods differ with the species. The 

 Lilium candidum should be removed in July, and re- 

 planted as soon thereafter as possible. This Lily makes 

 a growth in autumn, upon which the bloom of the com- 

 ing season depends. None of the species are as impa- 

 tient of rest as this. The Lilium excelsum, an allied 

 species, does not mature as early, but is nearly as impa- 

 tient of rest ; we find the best time to remove this bulb 

 is in September. This rule will also apply to L. Marta- 

 gon (Turk's Cap), and its varieties. All the other spe- 

 cies can be taken up in October, and replanted, or kept 

 in store for sale; none of them should remain long out 

 of ground, but as soon as possible pack in leaf mold, 

 until the ground is in condition for planting in spring. 

 In removals from one part of the garden to another, in 

 the formation of new beds, we prefer taking up in spring, 

 after growth has commenced ; take up, divide, and 

 replant as quickly as possible. We have never lost a 

 bulb by removal at this time. Under no circumstances 

 should Lily bulbs remain long out of ground, or get dry. 

 In importing new varieties, and for purposes of sale, it 

 is necessary to keep them dry longer than is expedient ; 

 every day they are out of the ground materially 

 weakens them, often beyond their power of recuperation. 

 Better, by far, to take up a Lily when in full flower, 

 than have a dry and shriveled bulb ; in fact, we have 

 often taken up Lilies when, in flower, without their sus- 



