106 
NAT. ORDER. LILIACE^E. 
There is a variety which has a much shorter stem and smaller 
leaves ; the stem branches out at the top into several small pedun- 
cles, each sustaining one dark-colored flower. It is called Dwarf 
Persian Lily. 
Propagation and Culture. The common mode of propagation in 
all these plants is by off-sets from the sides of their roots, separated 
every second or third year ; and the proper time for this business is 
when their flower-stalks decay, taking the whole root up entirely, 
and separating them into distinct roots, then planting the smaller off- 
sets by themselves in nursery-beds, to remain a year or two to 
acquire a flowering state ; and the larger roots, where they are to 
remain for flowering. 
They are all, likewise, capable of being propagated by seed ; but 
this is principally practiced for new varieties, and the process is 
tedious ; the Fritillary and the Persian Lily being three years, and 
the Crown Imperial sometimes six or seven before they flower in 
perfection. The seeds may be sown in the beginning of autumn in 
large wide pots, or in boxes of similar width, filled with light mellow 
earth, each sort separate, covering them carefully with fine earth, 
about half an inch deep, placing the pots in such a situation as to 
have only the morning sun all summer, or especially during the hot, 
dry weather, and in the full sun in winter and spring ; the plants 
will appear in the spring, which, after the first or second year's 
growth, when the leaves decay in summer, may be taken up, and 
the whole planted immediately in nursery-beds, m shallow drills, 
four inches apart, to remain till they flower. 
Medical Properties and Uses. These plants are mostly valued for 
their flowers and the bulbs of the roots. They are roasted and eaten 
in Kamtschatka, where it is as commonly cultivated as the potatoe 
is with us. The roots of the Fritillaria Impei'ialis, are employed in 
stranguary and fevers, in many countries, and is valued for that pur- 
pose. This plant emits a most powerful scent in the evening imme- 
diately after sunset. 
