Lilies 
ess than a generation ago it was the general belief that 
few Lilies could be grown in the heavy soil of the 
. Southwest, yet, today, a number of varieties are being 
cultivated most successfully. The reason 
for this is that the information which 
*has been so generously published by the 
horticulturists who have been studying the best growing condi¬ 
tions for plants has enabled us to select those types best adapted 
to our climate. 
Scientists have divided the members of the Lily family into 
three groups: (1) those that abhor lime, (2) those that tolerate it, 
and (3) those that seem to thrive under any soil condition. The 
type of soil required by each variety of Lily is often stated in the 
catalogues of the commercial growers who specialize in their 
cultivation. 
Less experimental work has been done by our amateur gardeners 
in the Southwest with Lilies than with any other family of plants. 
When we learn to plant the bulbs at the best season, just what soil 
they require, and the depth they should be planted in that soil, 
how they may be propagated, and the amount of shade and sun 
needed to perfect them, no doubt the number of bulbs and varie¬ 
ties grown will increase surprisingly. 
The interest in Lilies, particularly the hardy varieties, has in¬ 
creased tremendously in recent years, and it can be safely stated 
they are becoming the most popular of hardy bulbs, as they easily 
are the most regal. Not a little of this popularity has come from the 
lovely Lily Regale, lately brought from Western China to this 
country by the reverend E. H. Wilson. 
Lilies 
in the 
Southwest 
The 
Three 
Groups 
Study 
Lily 
Culture 
Increasing 
Popularity 
of 
Lilies 
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