D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 



15 



L-ILIES 





the better. 



The lily, ^vith eminent propriety, has been styled the 

 "Queen of Flowers," and truly no flower is more express- 

 ive of the idea of queenly beauty and faultless purity 

 than the Lily. Too much cannot be said in its 

 praise, and we are glad to notice its increasing 

 popularity from year to year. Nearly every variety 

 will, with a little care, endure the severity of our 

 winters, and many are among the most hardy of 

 our garden flowers. 



All the Lilies on our list form stately and beauti- 

 ful plants when grown in pots. The flowers are 

 deliciousl}^ fragrant, very lasting, opening full to 

 the last bud in water, and are admirably suited for 

 table decoration, bouquet vases and glasses. 



The sorts best suited for forcing are: the Ber- 

 muda Easter Lily (Lilium Harrisii), Lilium Can- 

 didum and Lilium Longiflorum. 



Culture Out of Doors.— Their culture is simple, 

 and with a little care success is certain. The bulbs 

 should be planted in the autumn, if possible, from 

 first of October, or as long as the soil can be 

 worked; if in spring, they should be planted out as 

 soon as the frost is out of the ground — the earlier 

 In the south, where frost does not prevent, plant from October to March. 

 Select a well-drained spot, dig the soil deep, and make it fine, enriching it abun- 

 dantly with very rotten cow manure and adding a liberal mixture of sand. Set the bulbs 

 from four to six inches deep, according to size, surrounding them with sand so as to pre- 

 vent any manure from coming in direct contact with the bulbs. During the winter cover 

 the surface of the bed with a thin layer of coarse straw manure, which will not only 

 afford a slight protection to the bulbs, but will materially enrich the soil. In the spring 

 the manure may be removed or dug in between the rows. 



Care should be taken that they have proper drainage, no water being allowed to 

 stand around the roots. Once firmly established, they should not be disturbed oftener 

 than once in five years. 



Culture for Forcing in Pots.— As early as the bulbs can be procured in autumn, 

 from August to November, plant them in five or six inch pots, using a compost of one- 

 half rich, loamy soil, one-quarter well rotted cow manure and one-quarter clean, sharp 

 sand. This compost should just cover the bulbs and should be made firm by being 

 pressed closely about them. Then place the pots in a cold frame, or insert them in a 

 sheltered place in the garden, allowing the soil to cover the tops of the pots one to two 

 inches, or place them in a cool room where there is no fire. Let them remain here until 

 quite cold weather comes on and the pots are well filled with roots. Then remove to 

 the greenhouse, conservatory or warm room, but force slowly, keeping the temperature 

 moderately cool (about 60°) until the buds appear. Water only sparingly till then, but 

 when the buds have set, increase the heat and water thoroughly. A little weak, clear 

 manure water may be used with advantage two or three times a week, after the plants 

 have commenced rapid growth. While in bloom keep the plants in a dr>', airy-, cool 

 situation to make the flowers last longer. Better success may be had with the Lilium . 

 Harrisii if it is first planted in four-inch pots and allowed to root two or three months, 

 and is then transplanted to six-inch pots, though this is not essential to success. 

 f If ¥17 IVf AITD ATI7 IVf ^"^^ glorious gold-banded Lily of Japan, and 

 1^ 1 1m^ A V 1^1 ^^ V IV /^ 1 V !▼! one of the grandest plants in cultivation. Its 

 immense, ivory white flowers are thickly studded with yellow and crimson spots, while 

 in the center of each petal is a golden band, fading at its edges into the white. Such 

 choice bulbs as we offer if well cared for will give from five to ten magnificent flowers the 

 first year, and under good cultivation will, after becoming well established, give from ten 

 to fifty. We are sometimes unable to deliver this variety early enough in the fall for out 

 door planting, but in that case the bulbs can be successfully ptit out in the spring. 

 Large bulbs, g to 11 ifiches, 20 cents each; $2.00 dozen, postpaid, 



f If IinVf r'AlSininiTTVf (Ready in The peerless white Lily, queen 

 LrlL/lVm ^AIMI/lUVI^l September.) of the garden. Although old 

 and common, this is still one of the finest single clear white flowers in cultivation, and no 

 garden however small should be without at least one plant of this beautiful variety. It 

 should be planted in the fall. 20 cents each; $2.00 dozen, postpaid. 



