LILIES AS POT PLANTS 59 



added when the stem-roots appear ; this will bear 

 to be a little richer than the compost in which the 

 bulb is first potted. 



Lilium longiflorum under glass is apt to be attacked 

 by green fly, crowds of which assemble in the rather 

 closely gathered leaves at the top of the stem when 

 it is half grown. Fumigating should be begun in 

 good time and kept up at intervals. If they are 

 wanted early they must be kept in a moist atmos- 

 phere, well watered and often syringed. 



For starting the bulbs no way is better than 

 plunging them in a bed of ashes four inches deep 

 over the pots, as is done with Hyacinths ; then the 

 pots will be transferred to house or cold frame 

 as they are wanted for use indoors in the earliest 

 months or later in the open. 



Those that are for outdoor use can also be potted 

 later. They are kept in a cool frame just safe from 

 frost. When danger from frost is over they are 

 plunged in an ash-bed in the open ground. After 

 the top-dressing, a little weak liquid manure may be 

 given to the speciosuui varieties and to longiflorum. 



For the treatment of Lilies in pots after the bloom 

 is over, the supply of water should gradually be 

 decreased — they should be plentifully watered while 

 growing and flowering — until the stems have turned 

 yellow; they are then fresh potted and kept rather 

 dry in the cold frame for the winter. 



