THE LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
We propose now to introduce to the attention of our readers a sweet little flower admirably 
adapted both for winter blooming and out-door culture, 
and yet we seldom see this little favorite, even in large 
collections. One reason of this, we suppose, is that its 
management has not been generally understood. A 
portion of the buds produce only leaves, and, of course, 
if these are planted disappointment is the result. Florists 
now keep for sale well matured buds, or pips, as now 
called, the appearance of which we have shown in the 
engraving. They can be purchased for sixty cents a 
dozen, or rather, brought to your post-office for that price. 
These may be planted from three to half a dozen in a 
pot, according to its size. Keep them in a tolerably warm 
place, never allowing them to suffer for water, and if 
somewhat dark, just as well for a week or two. Then 
bring them to the light. In about four or five weeks from 
potting flowers will be produced. By placing a little 
moss around the lower part of the pips, and then plant- 
ing them, they can be grown in 
boxes by the dozen, and then 
removed to any fancy pots, or 
baskets, or vases, where it is 
desirable they should flower. 
Indeed, they can be grown in 
lilfiBillllli ^' moss entirely, just as well as 
in earth, as they make little or 
no root before flowering, and, 
of course, can be put into glasses 
of water, and, in fact, be 
handled as they are about to 
come into flower in almost any 
way to suit the convenience of 
the grower. 
As the pips are not injured 
by frost, and are small, they can 
be sent by mail with safety any 
time during the winter, and by 
procuring a dozen and making four plantings, two weeks apart, flowers can be secured during a 
long season. Keep the pips in a cool, moist place until planted, covered with moss or saw-dust. 
The engraving shows a pot with a little group of the Lily of the Valley in flower. The name 
of the Lily of the Valley is Convallaria majalis. 
PLANTS INSTEAD OF SEEDS. 
In addition to the plants already noticed, there are a few that we have described in 
our list of plants to be grown fi om seed, that some people prefer to obtain in a more speedy way, 
and therefore like to procure plants that will flower the first season. This is the case with the 
Garden Pinks, Carnations and Picotees. Good plants of either, set out in the spring, will 
flower freely during the summer, and will also furnish layers for new plants. Plants of the 
Daisy, also, can be obtained, either spring or autumn, and generally with flowers and buds, 
for the Daisy gives its best flowers in fall and spring, and does not object to removal. 
The Hollyhock, too, many are so anxious to obtain that they prefer plants to seeds. In 
the north, plant only in the spring. Almost every one prefers plants of that beautiful grass, 
Erianthus Ravenna. That useful Climber, the Perennial Pea, grows rapidly from strong roots. 
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