The Canadian Horticulturist. 79 



plants they were when planted, but gradually a change has come about, and 

 these promising trees are now but lank poles with only a few branches, and tufts 

 of foliage atop. 



It is rather unfortunate that, as in the case of the purple-leaved Beech, there 

 are several forms of the Scarlet Oak in cultivation, these differing greatly in the 

 intensity of autumn leaf-coloring. Some of these that I have seen turn of a 

 reddish brown before falling off, and at no time exhibit that wealth of scarlet 

 for which the typical tree is so remarkable, and for which it is solely cultivated 

 in this country. 



Generally speaking, the Scarlet Oak requires but little attention in the way 

 of pruning, for it is of gainly shape with a conical head of twiggy branches, and 

 not at all inclined to ramify or expend its strength in the formation of clumsy 

 side branches. 



THE CHINESE SACRED LILY. 



Sir, — Would you please tell me the proper treatment for the " Chinese Narcissus, 

 or Sacred Lily. " After it has flowered can it be kept for another year and how ? 



Yours, etc. A. R. 



Reply by Anton Simmers, Toronto. 



The bulbs of the Chinese Sacred Lily after blooming, should be allowed 

 to continue growing as much as they will, and, when apparently quite completed, 

 (which will be noticed by the foliage beginning to become slightly withered at 

 the tips of the long leaves), the bulbs should be taken out of the water in which 

 they have bloomed, and placed in a moderately warm room until the foliage has 

 dried off, then place the bulbs in a pot of earth to remain there till the weather 

 is quite mild, say in the month of May, when they should be planted in the 

 open ground to " rest," as we term it. In the early fall the bulbs must be taken 

 up and those which are sound and appear healthy, by planting indoors as usual, 

 will in most cases give a nice display of bloom. 



We have lost quite a number of our bulbs by leaving them too long in the 

 open ground in the fall, which should be observed by others. They should be 

 brought in as soon as weather is approaching the frosty night season." 



PLANTING HOME GROUNDS. 



[any grounds are spoiled by the manner in which roads and walks are 

 laid out, the kinds of trees and shrubs that are planted and the grading 

 and surroundings of the house. The house should be built to correspond with 

 the lay of the land and the surroundings. Thus a plain house with no gables, 

 piazzas or ornamental work on it would be out of harmony with a rough, rocky 

 site, and a house all cut up with peaks, gables, fancy siding and unique windows 

 and ornaments would be out of place on a level plain. If the land is level and 



