THE REGAL LILY 7 
and one below 3 inches. The small bulbs are strewn along the rows 
with no effort at placement and go in from 14 to 35 to the row, de- 
pending on the length of time the planting is to stand undisturbed. 
The second size is set up 11 to the row, and the first size 7 to 9 
to the row. In setting the two larger sizes with their roots on, it 
is necessary to use a strong hand trowel which enables the planter 
to put the bulbs down so that their noses are flush with the depres- 
sion in the excavated bed; that is, 8 to 5 inches for the smaller 
bulbs, and an inch lower than this if the larger size is being planted. 
+ will be seen that the depth of planting is thus accommodated to 
the size of the bulb, the largest size going in an inch or so deeper 
than the 4-inch excavation, the middle size just its depth to the tip 
of the bulb, and the smallest sizes, not placed, have their lower 
sides just the depth of the excavation, 4 inches or more below the 
surface of the finished bed. The sizing of the bulbs is done by hand 
and in all probability always will be. When the first bed has been 
thus planted the opening of the second bed furnishes soil for cover- 
ing the first, and the process is repeated as the planting progresses 
over the entire plot. 
In the planting of seed the same method is employed, but the 
excavation of the seed bed is only about 114 inches deep. 
CARE AFTER THE FIRST YEAR 
The care of the lily beds the second and third seasons does not 
differ particularly from that of the first except that it is less burden- 
some. During the second season at least 25 to 50 per cent of the 
bulbs form stems. They are much larger in size than during the 
first season, and if well fed they assist very greatly in protecting the 
soil with their own shade and also in holding weeds in check. But 
the fact that the ground is partly shaded does not make a mulch 
inadvisable. On the contrary, a mulch of old manure will add fer- 
tility by leaching and will tend to equalize both temperature and 
moisture of the soil, two very important elements in all lily culture. 
Though such mulching material is much the best, if it is not procur- 
able short straw or débris of almost any kind, even though inert, will 
furnish the necessary protection. 
MULCH AND HARDINESS 
The use and benefit of the summer mulch have been discussed. 
It remains only to discuss the winter mulch as a protection from 
cold and alternation of temperatures. Whether winter mulching 
will be really needed for the Regal lily will depend on the nature of 
the season, where the growing is attempted, and the age of the 
planting. Seedlings going into the first and second winter undis- 
turbed if undug are shallow, having only about 2 inches of soil over 
them at most. It has been advised that an inch of soil be thrown 
over the beds late the first autumn. This is a great protection, and 
except. in very cold or exposed situations is sufficient for this 
hardy lily. 
Whenever more covering is deemed necessary, a dressing of an 
inch or even less of well-rotted stable manure may be applied in late 
fall and may be left on if the lumps are well broken up as they thaw 
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