10 BULLETIN 1459, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
plants were in blossom. The result was an abundant production of 
bulblets by digging time in ‘October. 
In the summer of 1925 stem-bulblet production was induced artifi- 
cially on a considerable scale at Bellingham, Wash. The season was 
an early one and the species blossomed in mid-July. As soon as the 
flowers had faded the stock was dug. The stems were cut off close 
to the bulbs or twisted out and then heeled in in the field with 1 to 4 
inches of soil over the lower 12 inches. By September 1 there was 
a large development of bulblets in the normal positions on the stem, 
averaging six or more in number, besides a prospect for a smali crop 
of seed, some of which matured. In other words, the stems reestab- 
lished themselves readily after this kind of treatment. 
THE BEST WAY TO PRODUCE STOCK 
Contrary to the methods used with most bulbous plants, this lily 
seems to be produced best from seed. Although the vegetative repro- 
duction has received some attention and has been advocated by some, 
it does not seem to be specially applicable to the Regal lily. It is 
more than likely that not only this lily but many others will be more 
and more grown from seed as soon as our propagators learn the 
advantages of such production and become experienced in it. 
Objection has been raised to the variable nature of the seed repro- 
duction. There is considerable variation of a certain kind, involving 
difference in number of blooms, size of leafage, color of stem, etc., 
but there are no striking or objectionable variations in the Regal lily 
such as there are, for instance, in the Easter lily (Lilzum longifiorum) 
grown from seed. Differences in color of flower are sometimes 
pointed out, but even these are mostly aging effects, a bleaching 
out owing to exposure. The flowers and plants are remarkably uni- 
form, at least sufficiently so for the border, the bed, or the forcing 
bench. There are no variations here which are in any way com- 
parable with those in long-cultivated horticultural varieties such as 
are found in forms of ZL. longifiorum. It may be, however, that 
when other importations are made variability may be obtained. It 
is well also to remind the reader that the writer’s experience is 
with the progeny of a single bulb self-pollinated the first season. 
_ FERTILIZERS 
The Regal, like many other lilies, is a gross feeder. Especially in 
heavy plantings such as are advised an abundant supply of plant 
food in the soil is an imperative requirement for satisfactory produc- 
tion. The bad effect of manures when in contact with the bulbs by 
no means precludes the proper use of such manures in the culture 
of this lily. Almost any sort of manure can be applied as a top- 
dressing when the plants are well rooted. Stable manure so em- 
ployed has given satisfaction when used rather liberally and in 
almost all stages of decomposition. Instances are known of prac- 
tically fresh cow manure being used as a winter mulch and left on 
during the growing season. A liberal application of manure in the 
soil six months in advance of planting is usually safe, or the lily 
can be grown without injury on the residue of fertility from a 
heavy application of manure for a previous crop of vegetables. 
