PROPAGATION BY BULBELS. 27 



more nearly equal portions, as in Lilium. candidum, shown 

 one-third natural size in Fig. ig. The parts may be separated 

 and treated as complete bulbs for purposes of propagation. 

 This division or separation of bulbs proceeds in a diflferent 

 manner in nearly every species, yet it is so obvious that the 

 novice need not be perplexed by it. Almost any breaking 

 apart of these loose bulbs, if only a ' ' heart ' ' or central axis 

 remains in each portion, is successful for purposes of slow 

 multiplication ; but when flowers are desired it is usually 

 advisable to keep the bulbs as strong and compact as pos- 

 sible. 



Bulbous plants multiply most easily by means of bulbels 

 — often also called bulbules and offsets — or small bulbs 

 which are borne about a large or mother bulb. In some 

 lilies, as Lilium candidum, the bulbels form at the top or 

 crown of the mother bulb, and a circle of roots will be found 

 betiyeen them and the bulb ; in others, as L. speciosum. and 

 L. auratum, they form on the lower part of the flower stalk- 

 In some species the bulbels are few and very large, or even 

 single, and they bloom the following year. In such cases 

 the bulb undergoes a progressive movement from year to 

 year after the manner of rootstocks, the bulb of one year 

 bearing a more or less distinct one 

 above and beyond it, which con- 

 tinues the species, while the old 

 one becomes weak or dies. This 

 method of bulb formation is seen 

 in the cut of Lilium. pardalinum, ■ 

 Fig. 20. In the hyacinth the bul- 

 bels form at the base of the bulb. 



Bulbels vary greatly in size and 

 frequency in different species. 

 Sometimes they are no larger than lo. Bulb of Lilium tarda- 

 a grain of wheat the first year, and Knum (xj^). 



in other plants they are as large as hickory-nuts. In some 

 species they are borne habitually underneath the scales of 

 the mother bulb. These bulbels are often removed when 



