Planting and Care of Your Fine Lilies 
Succeeding with lilies depends in no small measure upon the soil 
conditions and exposure. Soil must be loose and friable. This is 
very easy to provide by adding peat moss or compost. The latter 
must be thoroughly composted. Anima! manures are not to be rec- 
ommended unless they are four or five years old and thoroughly 
rotted. The simplest way to condition your soil is by adding peat 
moss, half soil and half peat, thoroughly mixed. Use the horticul- 
tural grade, not the granulated peat. This mixture should be pro- 
vided to a depth of fifteen to eighteen inches. 
Most lilies prefer protection from 
hot mid-day and afternoon sun, 
that is, partial shade. This is 
very important in warm sections 
where the sun is really hot. 
Neither the partial shade nor the 
soil conditioning is at all diffi- 
cult but if neglected, your 
chances of success are less. Com- 
panion planting is one of the best 
methods of solving this problem. 
The sketch gives you some idea 
of how this may be done. Shade 
from surrounding plants helps to _ - 
keep the soil cool and checks ~ 
surface loss of moisture. Com- 
panion plants also protect early 
starting lilies from frost injury. 
RIGHT — 
GROUND COVER SHADING SOIL 
KEEPS AT COOL 
WRONG 
Good drainage is vital as lilies will not tolerate wet, soggy soil. 
Ample peat in the soil, not only aids drainage but at the same time 
holds a portion of the moisture vital to all lilies. Peat also aerates the 
soil encouraging root growth and bacterial action so helpful to 
plant growth. 
Soil for lilies frequently lacks fertility. This may be in a large 
measure overcome by adding bone meal to that portion of the soil 
below the level of the bulb. Keep bone meal from actual contact 
with the bulbs. Use bone meal, Y3 cup to two square feet, a quart 
to 25 square feet. See page 21 for information on our lily feeding 
program. Don’t overfeed your lilies. To do so is inviting trouble. 
Over stimulation produces sick lilies. 
In planting lilies dig a hole 15 to 18 inches 
deep. Be sure drainage is good. Mix the 
bone meal into the soil below the depth at 
which the bulb is to be planted, pack this 
soil well. Add an inch layer of sharp sand 
for the bulb to rest upon. Cover the bulb 
with soil and sand containing no fertilizer, 
pack around bulb firmly, then fill balance of 
hole with a mixture of soil, peat moss and 
sand to which a portion of bone meal has been 
added. Pack firmly. 
eed 
y 
INCH TSA: UNDER Bue 
Every bulb we send out is carefully labeled with variety name, ex- 
posure most suitable (full sun or partial shade) and the proper 
depth to plant (PD). Catalog descriptions also give this information 
as well as heights and flowering season. This data should aid you 
in properly locating and planting your lilies. 
Your soil should be prepared BEFORE the bulbs come 
to save time and permit planting as soon as they ar- 
rive. If you follow the directions on this page in pre- 
paring the soil, it will take but a few moments to plant. Well prepared 
soil can be worked even if it is wet. Ample peat and sand in the 
soil prevent it becoming water logged. 
Preparing 
to Plant 
Some of the early maturing lilies such as Candidum, 
Hansoni and a few others are shipped in late August 
and early September but the great majority of lilies 
mature later and are shipped in October with the Auratums delivered 
in November. We ship as they mature and most orders are sent in 
two or more lots. This is far more costly than sending all in one 
package but we know it gets the bulbs to you in better condition 
and most of them can be planted sooner. 
Shipping 
Season 
If winter comes early in your section, prepare the 
ground early, mulch very deep to prevent it freezing 
and you can plant the late arrivals O.K. When they 
arrive, the mulch can be removed and the bulbs planted. If they 
freeze up solid right after planting no harm results. 
Early 
Winter 
Delayed 
Planting 
Should it be impossible to plant at once when the bulbs 
arrive, leave them unopened in the cellophane bags 
and keep in a cool place, not freezing. Planting at once 
is best but they will keep a reasonable time if not exposed to the 
air or allowed to dry out. If they can not be planted for several 
months it is best to pot them in large containers in soil that is 
just very slightly damp (not bone dry) and store them where they 
will be at a temperature just above freezing, 33° or 34° is best 
This usually results in root growth but no top growth, a desirable 
condition. When these bulbs are then planted outside, be sure the 
planting depth (soil over top of the bulb) is correct. Right planting 
depth is important. 
Where winter conditions permit, lilies may be planted 
any time during the winter if the bulbs are available. 
A great many varieties are sold out early but we gen- 
erally have a fair selection until February and if conditions are normal 
we can dig special orders that late. This does not apply io all va- 
rieties as some make growth too early to dig. 
After 
Planting 
Late 
Orders 
Once your bulbs are planted, leave them alone. Lily 
bulbs do not need to be taken up in the fall like Glads. 
They are perfectly hardy under normal conditions. Deep 
freezing without a covering of snow may heave them and if this 
threatens, a light mulch of coarse material is advisable. The actual 
freezing of the bulb while in the soil is not harmful except to those 
varieties definitely listed as tender. The first winter after planting, 
all beds should be mulched as the bulbs have not established roots. 
Geed With 
Wares Lily Glad 
Lily lovers have long been wanting a practical and safe 
source of food elements for their beloved bulbs. They have 
been warned not to use this or that but until now, no food 
especially for lilies has been available. 
With cooperation of U.S.D.A. Extension experts and patholo- 
gists, a truly comprehensive lily feeding program has been 
worked out. It is believed it will fill your long felt want. This 
food is planned to supply the nourishment frequently lacking 
in many garden soils. It may be used with a minimum of effort 
and without danger of over-stimulation. 
Ware's Lily Food, concentrated and completely soluble in 
water, is applied as a dilute liquid in repeated doses. A couple 
of pounds will take care of a hundred lilies for a season or 
more. Complete directions for the feeding program are in 
each package. 
This feeding program can be started either at planting time 
or during the growing season. Ware’s Lily Food is put up in 
two and five pound packages. Directions are supplied for 
large quantities with practical household 
teaspoonfuls, or cup, being used. Shipped 
Ae $475 
using small or 
measurements, 
POSTPAID. 
Two |b. Trial 
Package, POSTPAID 
Five Ib. Economy 
Package, POSTPAID 
ETE VeeS Aer e' 
“Never have we had so much lily bloom as from your bulbs bought 
the last three years. They were simply beautiful, just breathtaking. 
as high as forty blossoms per plant. And I truly believe your Lily 
Food was very much responsible. I fed them regularly last summer, 
following your instructions to the letter and then added the bone- 
meal in the fall.” 
. Mrs. A. B. 
