LILY OF THE FIELD. 119 



to singular advantage. Most delightful is 'it in a walk 

 through a woodland scene to come upon great clumps of 

 L. cmratum, the golden-rayed lily of Japan ; or the cream- 

 tinted, sometimes buff -coloured, L. testaceum, also known 

 as L. exeelsum ; or, most noble of all, and least of all under- 

 stood, L. giganteum, that loves a deep, damp bed of loam 

 or peat, and needs shelter in the spring from the frosts 

 that are then so destructive. 



The cultivation of lilies in pots is much practised, and 

 with many special advantages. In large gardens pot 

 lilies are needed for the conservatory and entrance hall ; in 

 market gardens they are wanted to supply cut flowers in 

 advance of the season for lilies in the open ground. The 

 amateur who would succeed in growing lilies in pots must 

 observe a few golden rules. In the first place the potting 

 should be completed at the. earliest time possible after the 

 plants have flowered, for immediately the flowering is over 

 •they begin to make new roots. If the bulbs have to be 

 purchased, therefore, ordei-s should be given early, and the 

 potting should be completed immediately the bulbs comp 

 to hand. 



Another golden rule is to insure perfect drainage by 

 packing the crooks with care before the compost is put in 

 the pots, for unless surplus water can escape readily, the 

 soil will become sour, and the plants will not prosper. As 

 regards the soil, a mellow hazel loam containing abundance 

 of vegetable fibre, such as loam from rotted turfy will suit 

 any lilies, as will also turfy peat of the best quality. The 

 lovely L. longiflorum is "decidedly partial to peat, but will 

 thrive in loam with the rest.^ A calcareous soil is not good 

 for any of them. Finally, all lilies enjoy liberal watering 

 and abundance of light and air. 



