54 GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



in 1887 It has the peculiarity of throwing up from two 

 to four shoots from each bulb, and occasionally two to 

 three branches on each stalk. The flowers are of the 

 purest white, star shaped, being more reflexcd than the 

 old sort. It is altogether a valuable variety, and is cer- 

 tain to be largely used for cut dowers. It is not yet 

 offered for sale. 



THE LILT (Lilium). 



I have already alluded to varieties of the Lily that are 

 used for forcing in winter, which at present is confined 

 to the white varieties, L. candidum, L. longiflorum, and 

 L. Harrisi. The hardy garden Lilies, which embrace a 

 great range of color, are of the easiest cultivation, and, 

 from the regal beauty of most of the species, are perhaps 

 the most desirable 'of all our hardy perennial plants. 

 They will nourish in almost any soil, though, like all 

 other plants, a deep, rich, sandy loam is the best. Lily 

 bulbs can be set out either in fall or spring. When planted 

 in fall they should be covered with three or four inches 

 of leaves or other litter ; for, although perfectly hardy, 

 withstanding the severest winter, all new plantations 

 of any kind of plant are helped by a protection the first 

 winter after planting. In spring planting they should 

 be set out just as early as the ground is dry enough to 

 work. The bulbs may be set, according to size, from 

 three to four inches deep, and, if beds are to be formed of 

 them, from nine t.o twelve inches apart. Although they 

 will not bloom in complete shade, yet a position of partial 

 shade is congenial to them ; and they will do equally 

 well in open sunshine. The finest species are from 

 Japan, though we have some very beautiful native kinds. 

 The following list comprises the best known kinds : L. 

 auratum, or Golden Banded ; L. speciosum and its va- 

 rieties ; L. Kramer i, L. Leichtlinii, L. tigrinum flora 

 plena, L. Thunbergianum in variety, L. longiflorum. 



