Xfew Japan Lilies. 133 
THE NEW JAPAN LILIES. 
BY M. P. WILDER. 
These Lilies are, we think, without exception, the richest floral 
gems that raoclern zeal and research alter novelty has brought to 
notice. Combining the most striking and beautiful combination 
of colors, with an exquisite perfume, and at the same time being 
of the most easy cultivation,, either in^the open border, or in pots 
in the house, they must become universal favorites. In the winter 
of 1846 we obtained from Col. Wilder, of Boston, the President 
of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, who has the finest col- 
lection in this country, a few bulbs of several species, [albunif 
pundatum, and several of his own hybrids,) and although the 
bulbs were small, and had made some growth when they were 
taken out of the pots and sent us, yet we had a splendid show of 
flowers in July and August. The novelty and beauty of these 
flowers excited the surprise and admiration of all who saw them, 
and has done something towards introducing them in this section. 
The high price of the bulbs as yet prevent many from purchasing; 
but, being easily propagated, in a variety of ways, and from the 
competition that exists among commercial growers, we may 
expect the price, in a few years to be greatly reduced. The fol- 
lowing excellent remarks on their character and culture, from the 
pen of Col. Wilder, appeared in the first number of the current 
volume of the Horticulturist: — Gen. Farmer. 
The Lily, fro n time immemorial, has been the theme of the 
poet, and the subject of sweet allusion by men of taste and learn- 
ing: frequently and beautifully is it referred to in the Scriptures, 
for its exquisite fragrance and loveliness, and for magnificence^ 
Divine authority has declared " that Solomon, in all his glory, 
was not arrayed like one of these." 
It is not my purpose, at present, to inquire whether the species 
or variety thus sublimely spoken of, was the Lily of the Valley^ 
belonging to the genus Convallaria, as some have supposed; the 
Lilium cnndidum, of Pliny, or the splendid tribe with which this 
chapter is introduced to the notice of your readers. 
Of the many remarkable plants imported into Europe, within 
the last half century, few can claim such pre-eminence for beauty 
as the Lilies discovered by Dr. Von Siebold, during his reasearches 
in Japan, in the years 1831 to 1833; and it is no exaggeration 
to state, that none have since been introduced, more deservedly 
popular, or more highly attractive. 
Dr. Von Siebold informs us, in his Flora Japonica, that he 
brought with him from Japan, more than twenty kinds of Lilies, 
the most conspicious of which, however, are the Lilium, spe.ciosum^ 
(sometimes called rubrum,) the L. lancifolium album, and the L, 
