Chinese Fairy Lilies. We CMnese EiMei of Good LbcK. 
We were the original introducers of this Lily into England, and our importations are 
again coming direct to us from the mountainous districts of Northern China. 
From tfu Gardeners' Chronicle^ April 13M, 1889. 
We are indebted to Mr. Burbidge for the opportunity 
of illustrating a method of growing these plants 
adopted by the Chinese, and indeed not altogether 
unknown here. The bulbs are simply placed in a 
bowl of water mixed with stones, some of which are 
placed over the bulbs so as to prevent them from 
floating. l‘he variety figured is Grand Emperor, one 
of the Tazetla group, and which is held in high 
esteem by the Chinese, especially at their New 
Year's festivals. The water should be changed every 
twenty-four hours. As the growth is rapid it is very 
interesting to watch. The story connected with the 
Water Fairy Flower has often been told, but it is 
worth repeating in Mr. Burbidge’s words ; 
‘ ' Thus once upon a time a father left his properly 
to his two sons with the understanding that it should 
be equally divided ; but the elder son seized all the 
tillable land and left the younger nothing but an 
acre covered with rocks and water. The younger 
son, failing to obtain justice, sat at the water's edge 
bemoaning his misfortune. A benevolent fairy 
appeared, and giving him these Narcissus bulbs 
told him to drop them into the water. Shortly after- 
wards their flow'ers w'ere developed, and the natives 
crowded to see the fairy’s gift. In the course of a 
few years the badly-treated brother accumulated a 
fortune by the rapid increase and sale of his bulbs. 
Then the elder brother, envious of the prosperity of 
the younger, bought up great numbers of the bulbs 
— hoping to get a monopoly by getting all of them— 
at so heavy a price, that he was obliged to mortgage 
his properly to procure funds for the purpose. He 
planted all his good land with bulbs, but they soon 
began to die, as they cannot live long out of water, 
lie was ruined, while his brother, who had bought 
the mortgage, foreclosed it, and became possessed 
of the whole estate in time to replant some of the 
dying bulbs in the watery acre.” 
Price Is. each; 10s. 6d. per dosen. 
If cultivated In water (as by the Chinese) the Bulbs shonid be placed into fancy Bowls (those offered below are very suitable), filled up with about an inch of clean 
travel, upon which the Balds are placed, say 3 to 6 Bulbs in a bowl, according to size. Water liberally, but never let the water stand high up m the bowl, but give 
only eooagb to keep the fbots thoroughly wet. They may then be placed in a cupboard, or similar place with ao even temperature, to encourage the growth of tne 
roots, aod lotrodaced to the strong Ugbt as the plant develops. 
W£ HAVS AGAIN IBCPORTSD A LIMITBD QUANTITY OF 
^T^TnnT A T. Ts^ I3E]OOT?..A_TDg3ID SE! EO W J_iS, 
AS ILLUSTRATED ABOVE, AND USED IN JAPAN FOR THE CUI.TIVATION OE THE CHINESE SACRED LILY, 
Which we can supply at the following prices so long as unsold: 
1 Bowl for 1 Bulb, price 1/-. 1 Bowl for 2 Bulbs, price 2/-. 1 Bowl for 3 Bulbs, price 2/6. 1 Bowl for 4 Bulbs, price 3/6. 1 Bowl for 6 Bulbi, price 4/6. 
" As a lover of Daffodil* I have read with much interest in The Garden of March 2 your 
notes on the only form cultivated in China, the Water Fairy Flower, and as you express a 
wish for some farther information as to these 1 take the liberty of addressing you on the 
subject, more especially as I think I can meet your desire for a larger importation of the 
Chinese Narcissus. 
“ Before leaving England, three years ago, I grew a small collection, and was therefore 
much interested to find on coming out here that it was still possible to grow Daffodils, 
though on a limited scale and under different conditions. 
' ' All that you write as to the Chinese history and culture of the plant is correct (including 
the story of the brothers), as 6^ as 1 have been able to ascertain. Chinese inform me here, 
however, that they do not, as a rule, call the whole species ‘ Grand Emperor,’ but they would 
refer to one particular spike or bloom in these terms, just as we should say, * that is a champion 
Strawberry.' indicating one special goodness. 
“ In addition to the fact that the Chinese for the most part ctow the bulbs in water, the 
leading dUtmetion between their culture and ours appears to be that in China they are 
universally grown as annuals, the bulbs always being thrown away after blooming, and new 
ones ^ught for the next year. Various attempts have been made at different times to grow 
them a second year, but always, as far as 1 know, without success. In South China the chief 
and 1 think only farm is in the interior, not many miles from Foochow, at a place c^led Po 
Tin, and this, I believe, is the scene of the legend to which you refer. The property is still in 
the hands of the family mentioned in the legend, and the Chinese declare that the bulbs will 
not grow anywhere else, but this is probably a fiction, and one of a thoroughly Chinese kind. 
*' As to the culture on the farm, 1 have been able toobtain no information, but considering 
the enormous quantity grown in China and around, there must be some rapid mode of pro- 
pagation. remembering that no bulb is nown a second year after being sent out. 
“ From the freedom with which the oest bulbs bloom, and the number of flowering centres 
on each bulb, 1 am inclined to think that the blooming must be retarded for two or three years, 
to as to throw the whole strength of the bulb into the flower the year it is sent out. 
I bad success with Carters’ Chinese Lilies ; 
the a bulbs bad 13 heads of bloom.” 
Mrs. Browne, Kingstown. 
**The Chinese Lilies are truly wonderful for the 
rapidity with which they ^row and flower.” 
Kbv. H. C. Fitch, Harleston. 
" The Chinese Sacred LlUes have blossomed beauti- 
fully. and have been greatly admired.” 
Mrs. Dodgson, Middlesex. 
*' The Chinese Sacred Lilies have flowered 
abundantly, and have given Miss Glffard great 
pleasure.'^Monmonth. 
CARTERS', 237 & 23B, HIGH HOLBORN, 
“The most curious feature of the Chinese culture, however, is one to which you do not 
refer, and of which you may possibly not be aware. Their plan is as follows : they select the 
strongest bulbs having three or four flowering ‘ breaks.' and cut away the whole of the outer 
coatings of the bulb right down to the base, leaving the centres containing the embryo flower- 
stalks surrounded only by a thin coating. If large specimens are required, two or three bulbs 
after being so treated are fitted together with cotton wool wrapped round the upper side of 
the base, and worked together into a circular form ; the points of the incipient flower-stalk.s 
now curl inwards, rather like the claws of a crab, and the plants are placed in shallow wooden 
trays in about an iqch of water and put into the sun. 
“The effect of cutting away the outer coatings of the bulbs is to stimulate rapid growth 
of the flower-stalks or rather very rapid development of the flowers, which are borne on 
stalls varying fVom 2 to 6 inches, and as the growth is rapid, all the flowers come out at once. 
Just before this time the plants can be removed into any suitable Iwwl or china ornament, and 
a pretty and attractive room decoration is obtained. I do not think such a frequent change 
of water as you mention is necessary ; the bulbs treated as above blwm in about twenty days 
after being put into the water, and it may be changed two or three times. In addition to this 
mode of growing, thousands are grown in shallow pots half filled with water, the bulbs not 
beintt cut. 
“ They do exceedingly well, moreover, massed in borders m the garden, and I had a fine 
display la.st January grown in this way. 
“There are only two kinds that I have yet come across — the single 
Tazetta and double-flowered (mnch resembling the doable Homan), and they 
are grown and sent out indiscriminately. With none of the home kinds to 
compare with, I should not like to hazard an opinion as to which of the 
various kinds the single form most resembles.’’ 
From The Garden, August 3rd, i88g. 
“ The Chinese Lilies are quite a success ; the 
s bulbs have produced la beautiful trusses of bloom 
deliciously fragrant.” — Mrs. Stuart, Kingsbridge. 
“ The Chinese Lily is in splendid bloom ; it has 
10 flower-stalks and 4a flowers. ’’-MissWhite, B^lymore. 
“The Chinese Sacred Lilies have flowered most 
Inzuriantly, and have quite come up to the descriptiOQ 
in the Catsdogue.”— Mrs. Oliver, Scotlaod. 
“ Mrs. Reynard was ve^ much pleased with 
Chinese Sacred Lilies. They have been greaOy 
admired by her friends.”— York. 
“ 1 am delighted with the Chinese Sacred Lilies; 
they were one mass of blooms.” — Mas. Wtles, Keut. 
“The Chinese Lily had a$ double sweet-scented 
blossoms, aod was greatly admired.” 
Mrs. Holloway, Heckfield. 
“ The Chinese Sacred LUy Is a splendid sight, and 
much admired.” — £. Jones, Esq., Lines. 
“ Mrs. Harris Is much pleased with the Chinese 
Sacred Lilies — they have splendid trasses of flower.” 
Hants. 
“ Major Murray takes this opportuul^ of express- 
ing to Messrs. Carter bis great satisfaction with their 
Chinese Sacred Lilies.”— Ireland. 
“The Chinese Sacred LUy is now In fnll bloom, and 
is greatly admired.”— Mrs. Luxton, Devon. 
LONDON. 
