324 BULBOUS-ROOTED FLOWERS. 



These may also h& grown in the house in pots or in moss or sand, 

 or ia water, in the manner prescribed for Hyacinths. 



The Lilt. — There is no need of any description of the beauty 

 of this flower. In some of its varieties it is kaown to all ; its 

 loveliness has been spoken of by writers, sacred and profane, and 

 pleasant emotions are awakened at the mere mention of its 

 name. 



Fortunately, nearly all the species known to us are sufficiently 

 hardy to endure our climate, and thrive weU in our gardens with 

 but little attention. A collection of all these would be a treasure- 

 house of beauty and enjoyment, rivalling even the Eose in queenly 

 splendor and sweet perfume. Not one but has some attraction 

 of its own, from the nodding Lily of our Canadian meadows to 

 the amethystine spots and golden band of those from Japan. 

 Nor are we at the end of the list ; every year some new species 

 rewards the searcher in new climes, and the LUies of California 

 are just being introduced for our admiration and delight. 



In common with most bulbs, they grow best in well-drained, 

 loamy soU, in which the sandy character predominates, and 

 which is kept rich by the use of thoroughly-rotted manures. If 

 the soU be naturally an adhesive clay, it wiU be necessary to 

 remove some of the clay, and add enough sand to make it light ; 

 and if the subsoil be retentive, it will be a great improvement to 

 remove some of the stiff clay and put in broken stone or gravel, 

 with an under-drain leading from the bed to a convenient outlet. 



It is very desirable that Lilies should be kept out of the 

 ground as short a time as possible. Many of the imported Lilies 

 fail altogether, or make but a feeble growth the first season, be- 

 cause the drjring which the bulbs undergo while out of the ground 

 weakens them. They should therefore be planted as soon as 

 received, large bulbs requiring to be set six inches deep and 

 small bulbs about four. The best seaaon for transplanting most 

 varieties is the month of October, whea they are at rest. 



LUies are usually propagated by oi&ets — the small bulbs 

 which form about the parett plant ; and whenever the bed is 



