TITE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 
323 
POT CULTURE OF JAPAN LILIES. 
EY A CONTRIBUTOR. 
T is a matter of surprise and regret with me that I do not 
more frequently meet with these noble autumnal flowers 
in the collections of amateurs, for they are, in my esti- 
mation, the most beautiful of all our autumn-flowering 
plants; and they are so eas ly managed, and occupy so 
little house-room, that they are just suited for persons that can afford 
only a limited space for one kind of plant. I sometimes meet with 
people who entertain the idea that, because they are so truly beau- 
tiful, they must be difficult to manage, and, in consequence, they 
neglect their culture altogether. Now. I find them the least trouble- 
some of all my favourites, and the most certain to reward me for the 
little attention they receive. 
My method of cultivating them is simple and soon told ; and I 
have no doubt that anv amateur commencing their cultivation, by 
attending to the following directions, will be equally successful with 
myself. Let us begin with the bulbs in the condition in which they 
are usually found in the beginning of November, when they have 
done flowering. Some of mine have just gone out of flower; others 
are well ripened, and ready for repotting. But as their treatment 
after flowering is of great importance, we will suppose they have 
just dropped their blossoms. Remove them to a rather warm situa- 
tion, and as dry as you can command, and give them little or no 
more water. I generally water lightly two or three times after my 
plants are placed in circumstances to ripen. A warm greenhouse 
or pit, kept rather close, if not moist, will effect this important 
desideratum perfectly. 
As soon as the bulbs are sufficiently matured, which will be 
known by the decay of the leaves and stems, they had better be 
repotted ; not that this is of importance at present, but it will 
economise space, and prevent the operation being neglected until 
after they have made fresh roots. The soil in which they have been 
growing ought to be entirely removed from the bulbs, and the latter 
divided as may be thought proper, for there will always be 
found about the crown of the parent some small bulbs, which may 
be placed in four-inch pots. If the ripening process has been com- 
plete, the roots will not be troublesome ; but if not, there will be 
found a quantity of fresh roots remaining. When such is the case, 
I leave them to themselves for some time longer, for I never pot 
while I require to cut or break the stronger roots, but merely 
strip my fingers through them, in order to remove those that are 
decayed. 
The pots should be just sufficiently large to receive the bulb and 
strong roots adhering to it. Give a moderate watering to settle 
the soil, and place them in the greenhouse or cool pit. They will 
require no further attention until the season begins to excite vege- 
tation, when they must he regularly attended to. Water as soon as 
November. 
