THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
137 
LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
LTIIOUGH this is only a common English plant, there 
is, perhaps, no greater favourite than it is, more espe- 
cially with the fair sex, nor any more deservedly so ; 
its beautiful foliage, lovely white smart-looking flowers, 
and delicious perfume, all conspiring to make it an 
object worthy of general admiration. 
For many years I have made a practice of growing a few pots of 
it, for the purpose of winter and spring decoration of the drawing- 
room, as well as the conservatory. They are generally grown in six- 
inch pots, and the average number of flower-spikes have been from 
two to two and a half dozen, though they sometimes amount to above 
three dozen to each pot : and most people who see them through the 
months of February, March, and April, are in raptures with their 
loveliness, particularly those from the neighbourhood of towns. I 
have heard but few people say that they cannot grow them, but 
almost everybody complains that they cannot get them to bloom 
well ; and from what I have seen of their culture, I might say that 
the fault lies in taking too much trouble with them ; indeed, their 
cultivation is so simple, that I have often thought that it would be 
almost the best thing a cottager or dweller in a town could have for 
a window plant in spring and early summer. The only thing required 
is to provide a few five or six-inch pots, and a few eyes, about the 
beginning of March ; just as the eyes begin to show above ground a 
little rather light sandy loam should be placed in the pots, upon about 
half an inch of drainage ; seven or eight should then be placed equi- 
distant about the pot, on the surface of the soil, allowing the eyes to 
be about level with the rim of the pot. A handful or two of the 
finest of the soil should then be placed on the top of the plants, and 
a good shake of the pot, by striking the bottom of it against the 
ground a few times completes the work ; plunge the pots as closely 
together as is convenient, in tan or ashes, or in the garden soil, in a 
situation where they can have the full sun for a few weeks. About 
the middle of April or beginning of May remove them to a situation 
where they may be partially shaded ; the north side of a low de- 
ciduous hedge is a capital place, but they must be kept plunged. 
They will require no more care than a little water now and then till 
September, w hen a coat of about six or seven inches of rotten manure 
may be thrown over them. The rains will carry the fertilizing 
matter from the manure gradually through the soil amongst the 
roots ; and if you force them they may be taken up about six or seven 
weeks before they are wanted in bloom, and started at once in a very 
mild heat — say 55° by day, and from 45° to 50° by night. Another 
portion may be placed in a vinery not at work, or in a cold pit, and 
introduced to the forcing-house at intervals, and those left in the 
cold house will be in bloom all through the month of April. If they 
are wanted later, it is effected by placing them behind a wall with a 
north aspect ; by this means they might be had in bloom from 
January till the middle of June. 
May. 
