28 BULLETIN %2. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
VARIETAL SELECTIONS. 
But little has been accomplished in the segregation of uniform 
strains of Easter lilies. The seedlings are especially variablein form, 
and it is thought that selections based on individual performance 
will yield the best results. In seedlings in the vegetative condition 
upward of 30 more or less distinct types are recognizable. They have 
not been studied long enough to determine their relative qualities. 
This will take time. 
The season at which distinctions in vegetative characters are most 
noticeable is that just preceding the formation of flower buds, strange 
as it may seem, but there are many characters which are quite pro- 
Fig. 13—Four stem bulblets from a single stem, measuring 33 to 4 inches in circum- 
ference. These bulblets will be large enough to force after growing one year. This 
Kind of reproduction is much more desirable than a larger number of Smaller 
bulblets. 
nounced even in the rosette stage. Selections can profitably be made 
before the buds show, and a reselection after the flowers open. It will 
probably be worth while also to make selections based on bulb char- 
acteristics. 
Whether the early-flowered seedlings perpetuate the characteristic 
of early fiowering in the vegetative progeny is not known. Some 
plants start into new growth early, i. e., the new crowns for the next 
year begin to grow even before the first flowers have faded. Fortu- 
nately, the percentage of these is small, and they probably should be 
eliminated. The desirable bulb is one that forms a large, promising 
crown for next year’s performance which remains dormant during 
autumn if not disturbed. 
