196 BULBS AXD TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



is not objectionable. The L. auratum has disappointed 

 more of its admirers than almost any other Lily, because 

 of its failure to adapt itself to our soil and climate. Our 

 experience with these bulbs proves that they are not 

 hardy, in a sense that other Lilies are. They must be 

 protected, both against cold and standing water, both in 

 open soils, and where the water does not stand over 

 them during their periods of rest. When guarded at 

 all, in these points, they are as long-lived, and will grew 

 as vigorously as any other Lily. They are, moreover, 

 impatient of heat, and to be grown successfully they 

 should be in partial shade, and the ground covered in 

 summer with newly cut grass or some other suitable 

 mulch. The flowers of this species vary more in shape, 

 color and markings than any of the other Lilies, so 

 much so that some growers have selected a large, number 

 with decided markings and forms, and have awarded 

 them varietal names. In growing large numbers, and 

 watching their habits closely, we do not think this prac- 

 tice warrantable, because the character of the flowers 

 depends so much upon the conditions of growth, that 

 under changed conditions they are not constant; that a 

 bulb which has given very large flowers this year ? may 

 give inferior ones the next, and the reverse. TTe have 

 also noticed, in our selection from beds of those with a 

 red instead of the yellow baud, that the color is not con- 

 stant, and the following year the band will again be 

 yellow. 



There are, however, some distinct varieties, which 

 we shall notice in their order, from the seeds of which 

 the bulbs we receive from Japan are grown. The seeds 

 from these varieties are undoubtedly cross-fertilized, 

 which will account for the vast number of forms and 

 colors we find among the imported bulbs. The same 

 law holds good with this Lily as with all other plants, 

 that where cross-fertilization has once been effected 



