PERUVIAN LILY. 
23 
fennel-like foliage. There are a few forms of it, the 
best known being sibirica and major. Although the 
perennial kinds may be raised from seeds in the same 
way as the annual ones, poor forms are likely to result. 
It is therefore best to effect an increase by carefully 
dividing the rootstocks after flowering. 
ALSTRCEMERXA (Pe ruvian Lily). - — Although 
called a “ Lily ” the plants in this genus really belong 
to the Narcissus family. They have no bulbs, but a 
mass of thickened or tuberous roots from which spring- 
leafy stems bearing clusters or umbels of richly- 
coloured and often spotted flowers, as shown on 
Plate 25. They are highly effective in the flower 
border or rockery, but only when planted in large 
masses. A rich sandy loam and leaf soil, which has 
been well dug and manured in advance, suits the plants 
perfectly ; in addition to which, they require sunny 
spots sheltered from bleak winds. When growing 
fully they like plenty of moisture, and should the soil 
be rather porous and gritty, a good “mulching” of 
well-rotted cow- manure, and frequent waterings during 
the summer months, will be of great value. 
Alstroemerias may be increased by very carefully 
dividing the clusters of fleshy roots in spring, the 
divided portions being covered with about 6 or 
9 inches of soil as a protection against frost. It is 
a mistake, however, to disturb the plants every year, 
as they would not have sufficient time to recover 
themselves. Seeds may be sown very thinly when 
ripe, under glass. The seedlings should not be dis- 
turbed for one season after they have been pricked 
out of the seed pots into a compost of light, yet rich, 
