April 23, 1885. ] 
383 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
flowers. Talking recently to an intelligent cultivator I soon discovered 
that be had formed similar opinions, considering the surface roots a 
provision to assist in the development of the flower stem, and the lower 
amongst our Lilies is claimed. Probably more L. aura turns have failed 
since it was first imported than all other Lilies together. 
Lilium auratum is much inclined to produce surface roots from the 
FIG. 6 1 ,-A. UEICUL A M H K L . 
flower stem when 1 foot or a little more in height. Many cultivators 
hail the appearance of these roots with pleasure, and encourage their 
extension. I remember asking the chief under whom I served some 
years ago the cause of these surface roots being formed, and was told that 
it was “ natural,” and provided for the assistance of the flower stem and 
roots from the bulb to prepare and develope the bulb for another season. 
If surface roots are “ natural,” why are they not produced from the growth 
that issues from every bulb? That they assist in the development of the 
flower stem cannot be doubted, for without them I believe hundreds of 
L. auratums would fail to lengthen out their stems and expand their 
