THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
201 
from tlie base of the stem abore the bulb. Now, it has been con- 
clusively proved by observation and experiment that the bulb pre- 
pares within it the stems that are to bear the next year’s flowers ; 
but those stems are nourished by their own roots, and hence the 
roots that appear on the stems above the bulbs should be covered 
wuth soil, that they maybe enabled to perform their proper functions. 
It follows, therefore, that bulbs of lilies should be planted compara- 
tively deep, or put into pots comparatively large, to ensure the 
proper covering of the roots that will in due time be formed above 
the bulb. We put hyacinths singly in 48 and GO-sized pots, and 
they prosper ; but such a course of procedure is destructive to lilies, 
for not only should their bulbs Imt their stem-roots be covered. 
Hence, in potting such sorts, for example, as Lancifolium and Longi- 
florum, it is better to put several bulbs rather deep in a 24, 16, or 
12-sized pot, and look for a great head of bloom, than to pot them 
singly, and ensure exhaustion of the bulbs. 
It may appear from the foregoing remarks that the cultivation 
of lilies is a very complicated business ; but in truth it is very simple, 
provided only the main requirements are conscientiously attended 
to. Messrs. Teutschel and Co., of Colchester, who are the principal 
importers of lilies from Japan and elsewhere, grow about 150 sorts 
in the open ground in light, deep, well-drained loam, and they lose 
but few in winter, and established bulbs flower well in the summer; 
and hence, as a rule, lilies of all kinds may be grown together under 
one very simple system of management. Nevertheless, to attain 
to complete success, the particular requirements of particular 
species must be studied, and therefore I have prepared a few notes 
on the most useful of the lilies, with a view to assist the amateur 
who has no intention of speculating in an extravagant manner in 
lilies, but would gladly grow a few of the most attractive kinds and 
leave to others the joys that accompany the fuU development of 
liliomania. The following are adapted for amateurs who take mode- 
rate views of things, and are content with such lilies as give the 
least trouble, and are the surest to produce an agreeable display of 
flowers . — 
Auratum is the finest lily known, and one of the best amongst 
those that are adapted for pot culture. It may be planted out in 
cool mellow loam or peat, and if the situation is well drained a severe 
winter will do the bulbs no harm, but if the soil is water-logged they 
will certainly perish. In the wet winter of 1872-3 I lost a con- 
siderable number of valuable lilies, including auratums that were 
planted out in beds of peat ; owing to a defect in the drainage at the 
time the rain came as a deluge for several days and nights together. 
Agapanthuses in the same beds were not hurt in the least. The 
proper time to pot Auratum is the end of September and throughout 
October. The soil should be carefully shaken from the bulbs, and 
the fresh roots should be as much as possible preserved. A good 
compost may be prepared by mixing two parts turfy loam and one 
part each of leaf-mould, the fibre of good peat, and the sharpest 
sand that can be obtained. If the loam is poor one part of good 
rotten hotbed manure may be added. A No. 8 or No. 6 pot will 
October. 
