LILY OF THL', VALLEY. 99 



best v/ay to manage it is to keep it clear of weeds or over- 

 reaching- plants, and otherwise leave it alone. 



The variegated-leaved lily of the valley is never, or 

 but rarely, seen to advantage iu the o])en ground. To do 

 justice to its exquisite lieauty, it sliould have greenhouse 

 or frame culture. Any light soil will suit its requirements, 

 or say sandy loam and t-lean ]eaf-mr)uld, or any mixture 

 that suits the average of greenhouse plants. It is an im- 

 portant matter to plant a number of crowns in suitable 

 pots and pians, and leave them midisturbed for several years. 

 If they^ have reasonable attention in respect of air, water, 

 and h'ght, being shaded from strong sunshine, arrd liberally 

 supplied with water iu the growing season, they will hli 

 the pans with a lovelj- growth of leaves, richly striped with 

 alternate bars of pale yellow and vivid green, and the Hower- 

 spikes will rise in plenty. 



For the supply of «'inter and early sjiring flowers the 

 lily of the valley is largely grown ; there are varieties kno^vn 

 as " Dntcli," " German," and " home grown. ^^ These differ 

 by points an amateur need not l>e concerned about, be- 

 cause all are good ; but tlie men who grow them in large 

 quantities for the flower markets ai'e bound to distingnish 

 minute differences, for they influence values, and tell with 

 effect upon the final returns of the season's business. For 

 the mere production of crowns for forcing there is really 

 no necessitj^ to resort to importation, but as the imported 

 lilies are constantly in recjuest, it may be concluded the 

 market growers find it more to their advautao'e to obtain 

 the crowns ready made than to be at the trouble of pro- 

 ducing them. The reader of this may, however, be well 

 supplied with stock for the forcing ]nt by di\iding and 

 planting a sufficient number every \'ear, and a generous soil 



