portant. However, in our experience those lilies liable to basal rot are 
much less apt to acquire infection if the roots are clipped before the 
bulb is replanted. If they are removed, Hormodin or any of the stan- 
dard rooting powders will help the bulb to quickly form new and 
healthy roots. Dusting with Spergon is an added precaution. 
In the matter of basal rot there is a subtle factor worthy 
of mention. The purple form of L. Martagon which is native to 
Europe thrives in European gardens and is apparently not subject to 
basal rot. In this country the purple Martagon is a different story. 
There is no lily more susceptible to basal rot, even when it has been 
grown from seed here. The white Martagon, which is native to the 
same areas in Europe, thrives in both European and American gar- 
dens. These illustrations could be repeated many times with other 
well known varieties. All we can say is that in a certain environment 
a given lily tends to thrive—or the reverse. No one has as yet been 
able to put his finger on just what occurs. This will, of course, be an 
area for some future research. 
In addition to L. Martagon type, the following lilies are especial- 
ly susceptible to basal rot in American gardens: L. chalcedonicum, L. 
testaceum, L. croceum, L. pardalinum, L. Humboldtii, some of the Bell- 
ingham hybrids, L. pyrenaicum, L. formosanum, and L. speciosum. 
It may be of interest to note that basal rot is probably the prin- 
cipal factor responsible for the serious losses that frequently occur 
in seedling lilies. We do not belong to the school that advocates grow- 
ing lilies from seed, chiefly because of these losses!. 
1 See Sandyloam Seed Starter on page 34. 
4p 22 IL 
