ORDERED TO VERDUN.
"Mamma! Mother!" cried Roy, bursting into the sitting-room at
Fontainebleau one wintry day. "Ma'am, what do you think?"
Roy had by this time quite recovered from his illness, though his face
still bore evidence of the same in the shape of several small red pits,
which had not yet had time to lose their prominence. His eyes sparkled
with excitement. Mrs. Baron was on the sofa, resting after a walk
with her husband, and Colonel Baron sat near, book in hand. Ivor, who
happened to be in rear of them both, made a silencing gesture, but Roy
was much too eager to attend, or to read his meaning.
"Only think, ma'am. Do but hear! All of us are ordered off from
Fontainebleau to Verdun. Verdun! Why, that is where Mademoiselle de St.
Roques lives. We shall see her again. And I shall like that, though I
don't like going farther away from England. That is horrid. Everybody
is saying what a shame it is! Must we go, do you think, Den? Verdun is
a fortified town, they say, and we are to be in stricter keeping, all
of us prisoners."
Roy liked to speak of himself as a prisoner, even while he chafed
furiously against the restraints of imprisonment. He could not make up
his mind to the indignity of being looked upon as too young to be worth
detention. Thirteen years old!--with a Commission in His Majesty's Army
already secured! Roy was very conscious of his prospective position.
"I am quite as old already as lots of middies," he would declare,
"and only two years younger than General Moore when he began to be a
soldier."
"You should not startle your mother, Roy," the Colonel said gravely,
as Mrs. Baron sat up, her eyes wide and terrified. "It is necessary
sometimes to think of other people before yourself. You understand?"
"I'm sorry, sir; but is it true?" asked Roy, too much excited to be
penitent for more than three seconds. "Are we really and truly going to
Verdun?"
"It is true, unfortunately. Den and I were told this morning of the
order at _appel_. But you should have waited until I spoke."
Roy began to see the nature of his blunder, too late for reticence.
"Then we really are going! I shall like to see Mademoiselle de St.
Roques again, only I would rather, ever so much, be going home. Shall
we do it by diligence, papa, or _poste_, or will you have a carriage?
Only four of us, and they say we may do it any way we like."
Colonel Baron made up his mind to take the bull by the horns there
and then. He would have preferred to tell his wife quietly, with no
spectators, but since Roy had hurried matters on, he felt that it was
best to speak out at once.
"I shall probably have a carriage for your mother and Denham and
myself, Roy," he said slowly.
"And me!"
Colonel Baron was silent, with a silence which spoke more plainly to
his wife than to Roy. Mrs. Baron knew what it meant, while Roy merely
supposed his own name to have been inadvertently left out.
"What does all this mean, Roy?" his mother was asking, in a low voice.
"Tell me."
"Why, mamma, I suppose old Nap wants to have us all more out of the
way. Perhaps he thinks Nelson will come and set us free some day." Roy
laughed. "Lots of détenus and prisoners are ordered off to Verdun, from
here and other places too. And everybody says it is such a tremendous
shame, this cold weather? Why couldn't they settle things sooner? It's
horrid of him."
Mrs. Baron stood up, and with her slow graceful step she moved across
to Roy. Colonel Baron waited silently. He knew that in her mind, as in
his, was the promise she had given months before, that if they should
have to go farther away from England, she would then consent to Roy's
immediate return home. The dread of this had been on her all through
the autumn, and now abruptly the blow had fallen.
Mrs. Baron would not draw back from her word--Colonel Baron knew
this--but neither would she try to hide what the keeping of it would
cost her. The détenus had pretty well ceased to hope for any speedy
release from their captivity, and she could not but be aware that a
parting from her boy at this juncture might mean long separation.
If Mrs. Baron idolised her husband, she idolised her son only one
degree less. It was hard to be away from Molly, but in that respect
Colonel Baron was the greater sufferer of the two, since he had always
especially doted on his little girl. To send Roy away would be to Mrs.
Baron simply heart-breaking. Yet she felt that it would have to be. She
had promised, and Colonel Baron would not let her off her promise.
She laid one slender hand on either of the boy's shoulders, looking
into his face with a fixed wistful gaze, while tears gathered heavily
in her eyes. Roy was puzzled.
"Why, ma'am, you don't mind it so much as all that! I would not cry for
old Napoleon!"--forgetting a certain little past scene in an upstairs
Paris bedroom. "And I'm tired of Fontainebleau. Aren't you? I think I
sha'n't mind a new place. I wonder what Verdun is like. Please don't
cry, mamma," entreated Roy, holding himself very upright.
"My dear Harriette!" remonstrated the Colonel.
He came close, and she turned from Roy to lean against him, breaking
into bitter sobs.
"My dear heart, you must think of the boy--not of ourselves. Think how
much better for him to be at school in England. But for Den, this life
would be ruination for him." For Ivor, after acting as Roy's nurse,
had made himself tutor and guardian and companion to the lad; and Roy
by this time was ready to maintain against a world in arms that his
equal for either lessons or play did not exist on earth. It had been,
indeed, Ivor's chief consolation in captivity to look after Roy, and
the two were warmly attached.
"How soon?" Mrs. Baron tried to ask, her voice half strangled with
tears.
"In a few days. Not directly. There is time for arrangements. We must
find an escort for him, if possible."
"Am I to go home?" Roy inquired, as the meaning of his father's words
and his mother's distress dawned upon him. "Will Napoleon let me?"
An exchange of glances took place between the gentlemen.
"I hope so," Colonel Baron replied cheerfully. "You are not a détenu,
Roy, and there is no reason why any difficulty should be made. I must
apply at once for a passport." Colonel Baron's mind misgave him as he
spoke, for he had heard lately of more than one instance in which such
an application for a passport had proved a failure. Although English
ladies and boys under eighteen were not avowedly prisoners, yet every
possible hindrance was beginning to be placed in the way of the return
of anyone to England. This made him only the more desirous not to put
off any longer getting Roy across the Channel.
Roy stood thinking.
"And I shall see Molly again," he observed. "I shall like that. It
does seem an awful long while since I left her. Shall I go to school
at once, sir, and shall I spend my holidays in Bath till you and mamma
come back?"
Mrs. Baron hid her face.
"Yes, of course. I see--I ought to go," pursued Roy. "It wouldn't do
for me to stop on here. In two years I've got to be a soldier, and then
Napoleon would think he had a right to keep me altogether. That would
stop me from fighting, and I should have to give my parole, I suppose,
and to be a regular prisoner. Yes; I'd much better be off. How soon,
I wonder? And I'll take letters home. It will be jolly to see Molly
again."
Roy was making matters worse, and Ivor stood up, throwing aside his
book.
"Come!" he said shortly, with an imperative sign, and Roy followed, not
knowing why. Outside the house Ivor said, "You must be more careful.
You have to think of your mother's feelings."
Roy looked up in surprise.
"Did I say something wrong? Why, what was it?"
"Could you not see? She is breaking her heart at the thought of losing
you. Just imagine what it will be to her, not to have her boy any
longer. Don't let her think you are pleased to go."
"But I'm not glad to leave her--of course not. I'm only glad to go to
England, and to see Molly, and to be able to fight. I should think she
understood."
A curious expression crossed the other's face. "You can hardly expect
her to want you to fight. That's not the way with mothers, you know.
The last thing she would wish would be for you to hold back, but still,
she will be unhappy. And, Roy, don't you see yet that a brave man has
to be kind as well as brave, especially where women are concerned? You
can't possibly know what the parting will be to her, but still, you
can manage to be kind."
Roy showed signs of being impressed. He knew Denham to be so gallant a
soldier that words of this sort coming from him had especial weight.
Neither spoke again directly. Roy walked fast, doing his best as usual
to match Ivor's long stride, though compelled now and then to make a
droll little extra step, if he would not be left behind. His face had
taken a look of supreme seriousness.
"Yes, of course," he said, at length. "I see. I suppose that's what we
men have to do. I mean--we have to try not to make women unhappy. I
used to set Molly off crying sometimes. I didn't mean to, but I did,
you know. She thought I meant things I didn't mean, and I used to call
that stupid. But I daresay it's only that she's a girl, and so she
can't help it. When I get back, I mean to do my very best never to say
one single word that can make her cry. Because I'm ever so much the
strongest, and I'm very nearly a man now. But Den, it won't be going
home. I suppose my home will be in Bath, won't it--like Molly?"
"Until your father can return--yes. The London house is let for the
present."
Roy's face fell somewhat.
"It won't be the same thing at all, will it? And I shall miss you all
too; but I suppose I ought to go."
The application for Roy's passport was duly made, and a formal reply
promised attention to the application. There the matter stood still.
Days passed, and the time for their start drew near. Colonel Baron
deferred their journey as long as possible, hoping that Roy's passport
might arrive in time. He took further steps meanwhile, urging upon the
officials a speedy compliance; but his efforts were fruitless. He had
found an English lady, who also was anxious to return to England, and
she had promised to take charge of Roy. But her passport, as well as
that of Roy, was not forthcoming. It became evident that obstructions
were deliberately placed in the way of their leaving France.
Some discussion took place as to the possibility of leaving Roy behind
in Fontainebleau, for the chance of a passport being sent soon, but
this was felt to be too great a risk. Such friends as the Barons had
made were among the English détenus, and these, like themselves, were
ordered to Verdun. A good deal of kindness had been shown to English
prisoners by French residents at Fontainebleau, but there was no one
with whom the Barons could contentedly leave Roy. They slowly made up
their minds that he must go with them to Verdun. Not Colonel Baron
only, but his wife also, by this time regretted greatly not having sent
Roy home at the first, when passports had been more readily granted.
Roy rebelled angrily. He had liked to talk of himself grandly as a
"prisoner of war," all the time feeling that he was free. It was
another matter to find himself in truth not free, but almost as much of
a prisoner in France as those who were compelled to give their parole.
"It's too beastly disgusting," he declared to his chief confidant,
having managed in his mother's presence to restrain his regrets. "That
old beast of a Boney! I wish I could shoot him!"
"Roy, you must be more careful; walls have ears in France. If you abuse
the First Consul, you will some day get yourself into serious trouble.
This is not a land of free speech, like England. Your father and I
could do little for you if you fell into the hands of the gendarmes. We
are prisoners ourselves."
"But isn't it hateful? Only think--if I'm kept on here for two years I
sha'n't be able to go into the Army directly I'm sixteen."
"We may have peace long before three years are over. No use to look
forward so long."
"He hasn't any right to keep me. I've a right to go home."
"I'm afraid the First Consul cares little for any man's rights, except
his own. But you must be brave and not give way. Think of your mother,
not of yourself. We are all sufferers together. And, after all, the
passport may arrive later. You could return home from Verdun, though
it would be a longer journey. It will not do for us to delay starting
any more. We have barely allowed ourselves time to reach Verdun by the
latest day specified."
"Den, don't you want to go home?"
Did he not want it? The handsome bronzed face, which had of late grown
thinner than its wont, looked quietly at Roy. "Sometimes I would give
my right hand to get away," he confessed. "Yes, I want it--more than
you can know, perhaps. But these things do not come of themselves. They
are allowed, for some good purpose."
"You don't mean that God wants Napoleon to behave in such a way?"
"No; certainly not. But it may be His will that you and I should have
this opportunity to be patient and brave. It's a great trouble for both
of us--no use to deny that. And to be brave in captivity is much harder
than to be brave in fighting. But it will come to an end in time.
Napoleon will not be allowed to go on always unchecked."
"I suppose he is angry because he can't make England do whatever he
chooses, as he makes Germany and Prussia and Austria and all the other
countries. And so he punishes _us_."
"That may be it. My own belief is that Britain is called upon to save
all Europe from a hopeless thraldom, and that in time we shall see her
successful. But we may have to wait a while first. Only, while we wait,
we mustn't forget that God really is over all. He sometimes lets bad
men have their way for a time, but in the end truth and justice and
freedom will conquer."
"I don't think mamma is sorry that I'm going to Verdun," Roy said.
"She is sorry for your sake, not for her own. That is much what I feel
about it."
Roy looked up quickly.
"Would you have been sorry? Would you have missed me?"
"Much more than you can imagine. I have been wondering what I should do
with myself without my friend Roy."
The boy flushed up.
"Den, am I your friend truly? Do you like to have me?" He clutched the
young Guardsman's arm, with a quick gesture. "Would you be sorry if I
went?" He read a plain answer in the other's face. "Oh, then I don't
mind, then I'll be glad I haven't got a passport. I don't care, if you
like to have me. I thought I was just a bother."
"I'm not so selfish as to wish to keep you here, and if a passport
comes I shall be glad. But you have been no bother. It is bad enough
anyhow, going to Verdun. It would be ten times worse if we were leaving
you behind. You are the one bit of cheer left to us."
Another furtive clutch on his arm.
"I'm glad. I'd rather be your friend than anybody's. And I promise to
work hard and to do whatever you like." Then, in the same breath, "How
soon shall we see Mademoiselle de St. Roques?"
"I have had a letter from her. That is one little piece of good news.
I wrote to ask if she could recommend us where to go for rooms, and
she tells me that the old people with whom she lives would be glad to
let the upstairs floors. She promises that they would do their best to
make us comfortable, and suggests that we should go there on our first
arrival, to try how we like the accommodation."
"And shall we?"
"Your father seems willing. Even if it does not do for a permanency,
we shall have time to look out. But probably it will do very well.
Prisoners must not be over particular."
"And are the people she lives with _noblesse_ too?" asked Roy, who had
heard a good deal about the old French _noblesse_ and their sufferings
in the Revolution, during the last few months. "Will they wait upon us?
It would be funny to have an old nobleman handing the plates at table."
"No; I think M. and Mme. Courant are _bourgeois_. But evidently they
have been very good to Mademoiselle de St. Roques, whose parents really
did belong to the old _noblesse_. Probably they may keep a servant to
wait upon us, and we must not mind if things are rather rough."
"I shall like to see her again. But I would rather go home to
Molly--much rather!" murmured Roy, his face falling. "Except for
staying with you and the others."
One day later, passports being still withheld, Roy started, in company
with his parents and Denham, on the cold and dismal journey to Verdun.
The Colonel secured a large roomy old coach or chariot, which had
once belonged to some well-to-do person,--probably a nobleman, since
decapitated. With relays of horses, even though the horses in question
were somewhat sorry beasts, they made fairly quick advance.
(_To be continued._)
OUR LILY GARDEN.
PRACTICAL AIDS TO THE CULTURE OF LILIES.
BY CHARLES PETERS.
The life history of the lily is one of perpetual growth. The lily never
lies dormant.[1] In the severest frost, or in periods of great drought,
this plant is ever developing. As soon as the flower-stem has died
down, the bulb begins to form fresh roots and continues to do so until
the time comes round again for it to send up its flower spikes. _Lilium
Candidum_ throws up a winter crop of leaves during the autumn, but the
other lilies perform all their winter labours below ground.
[Illustration: _Lilium Monadelphum._]
Let us follow the life of the lily through the year and see how each
particular season has its special work and dangers.
We have planted our bulbs in November. They will do nothing but form
roots till about March. During this period most bulbs will stand any
frost that we are likely to have, but those of _L. Wallichianum_, _L.
Catesbaei_, and one or two others, occasionally die during severe
frost. Though cold does not appreciably injure lily-bulbs, it is far
otherwise with wet. As we have said before, lilies love rain when the
stems are growing, but when the bulbs are making root in winter they do
not like much moisture. If the soil is perfectly well drained, we much
doubt whether any quantity of rain would cause the bulbs to rot. But in
soils where stagnant water can lie about the bulbs, the result of a wet
winter is often disastrous.
"Our soil is a stiff clayey loam, but we wish to have lilies. What can
we do to render our ground a fit place wherein to grow them?" You can
do one of two things. Either you can provide that the lilies are well
drained by digging deeply and filling in with crocks, stones, etc.,
and mixing plenty of sharp sand with the soil; or else you can follow
the Japanese plan of placing the lily bulbs on their sides. Bulbs with
large, open scales, such as those of _L. Brownii_, suffer much more
from wet than such compact bulbs as those of _L. Umbellatum_, etc.
The second stage in the growth of lilies dates from the appearance
of the shoot till the opening of the flower-buds. We have already
described the treatment necessary at this stage. It is at this time
that you must guard against drought and slugs, and look out for
diseases.
The opening of the flower-buds is the most anxious but also the most
exciting period in the life of the lily. When the buds have begun to
change colour a good drenching of the roots with very weak liquid
manure will materially help to develop the flowers. Do not give liquid
manure before this time, and never give more than two doses to any
plant.
The green fly or aphis is a very exasperating foe. It does not eat
holes in the leaves, but lives upon the upper leaves and buds, usually
upon their under surface. Its presence causes the buds to develop
irregularly. The bud grows less quickly on that side where the aphides
are domiciled, and the whole bud becomes curved or twisted. When this
bud opens, it shows but an ugly, deformed flower.
The best way to deal with aphides is to brush them off with a soft
brush. This is the only method of dealing with them that can do no
harm to the buds. Fumigation or syringing with soft-soap and water are
frequently used to destroy these pests.
Another cause which ruins the lily flowers is canker of the buds or
blossoms. We described the cause and treatment of this calamity last
month.
Very often a lily will produce more buds than it has strength to
develop. Some of these superfluous buds will soon show signs of
withering and should be at once removed.
It is well to remove every deformed or injured bud as soon as possible,
for it gives the plant a better chance of developing the remainder.
When once the flowers have opened, the plant may be left alone till
they wither. If possible, lilies should be placed in the shade whilst
they are in blossom, as the flowers will then last for a longer time.
Usually one bud will open and then die before another is fully
developed. In this case the dead blossom--or rather the seed-vessel,
for the perianth falls of its own accord--should be cut off.
After the lily has flowered, it will require but little attention until
the flower spike has completely died down. At this period but little
water need be given.
The flower spike must never be cut down till it has completely withered
to the base. When this has occurred the entire stem can be easily
removed by a slight jerk.
The life of the lily for the year is now over. What are we to do with
the bulbs? Shall we leave them as they are, or shall we transplant them?
Lilies in the ground do best when left undisturbed for years. Some
lilies, such as Martagons and _Lilium Candidum_, never do well until
they have been established for a year or two. Other lilies, such as _L.
Longiflorum_, often dwindle in a very few years.
If the lilies have done well, have not been diseased and have blossomed
freely, leave them as they are. If, on the other hand, the plants have
borne poor or deformed blossoms, or have become diseased, or, above
all, if they have been getting poorer year by year, take up the bulbs,
as soon as the flower stems have died down, and plant them elsewhere.
Plant these bulbs in the same way and with the same precautions as you
do new bulbs; detach any small bulblets and plant these separately.
Never let the bulbs remain out of the ground longer than can possibly
be helped.
Lilies in pots must be repotted every year. As soon as the stem has
died down, empty the pot, shake out the bulb, separate any offshoots
that it may have made, and replant at once.
Very little water need be given during the winter, but the bulbs must
not be allowed to become dry. It is a great mistake to winter hardy
lilies indoors or in a greenhouse, as it renders the plants tender and
liable to disease.
Although all lilies are perennial, that is, they come up every year,
there are some kinds, notably _Lilium Canadense_, which show great
reluctance to becoming established, and after coming up well for two
or three years, suddenly disappear altogether. This is especially the
case when the plants have been allowed to ripen their seed. Indeed, all
lilies tend to dwindle when they are allowed to go to seed. One reason
why _L. Candidum_ is so much better when grown in neglected situations
than any other lily is because it never produces seed in this country.
There are four methods by which lilies may be propagated; by seed; by
bulblets, which are formed in the axils of the leaves of some species;
by offshoots from the parent bulb, and by detached scales. Again the
bulbs often split into two or more parts. If a single bulb has sent up
two flower spikes, the bulb will probably be found to have split into
two, the scales re-arranging themselves accordingly. If these two bulbs
are separated, each will send up flower spikes either next year or the
year after.
Growing lilies from seed is a tedious affair and is not worth its salt
except when trying to raise hybrids or new species of great rarity.
The seeds should be grown in seed-pans in a mixture of peat, leaf
mould, sand and moss. They take from six weeks to two years to
germinate. Under glass they germinate more quickly. They never produce
flowering bulbs till at least two years after they have been sown.
_Lilium Tenuifolium_ grows the most rapidly, and often flowers in
the third year. Other kinds take from three to ten years to form a
flowering bulb--time enough to exhaust the patience of any amateur.
The vast majority of seeds either never germinate, or, if they develop
so far, die before they have formed a bulb of sufficient size to send
up a flower spike. Not all lilies produce seeds in this country. _L.
Candidum_, _Testaceum_, _Chalcedonicum_, and others never do. Most
kinds only ripen their seeds in very propitious seasons. So much for
seeds.
The second method of increasing lilies is by growing the small bulblets
which form in the axils of the leaves. Only _L. Bulbiferum_, _L.
Tigrinum_, and occasionally one or two others, produce these axial
bulblets. Sow the bulblets as you do the seeds. They usually germinate
very quickly, and produce flowering bulbs within two years.
The commonest, quickest and best way to increase lilies is through
the small bulbs which grow round the base of the parent. These may be
removed when the bulbs are lifted and planted at once. They will flower
in one or two years.
Before we leave the question of the cultivation of lilies, we will
refer to two or three constituents of the soil, the presence of which
is by some authors described as imperative, by others as injurious.
[Illustration:
_L. Neilghervense._
_L. Philippense._
_L. Nepalense._
_L. Parryi._
_L. Washingtonianum._
_L. Alexandræ._
_L. Longiflorum._
LILIES OF THE EULIRION GROUP.]
Peat is absolutely necessary to _L. Superbum_, _L. Canadense_, _L.
Roezlii_, _L. Philadelphicum_, _L. Pardalinum_, _L. Parryi_, and some
others. Even those lilies to which peat is not a necessity, are yet
benefited by its presence in the soil. This is notably the case with
_L. Auratum_, _L. Speciosum_ and _L. Longiflorum_. _L. Candidum_, _L.
Testaceum_ and most of the Martagons dislike peat. To _L. Szovitzianum_
and the other varieties of _L. Monadelphum_ peat seems to be positively
injurious.
It has long been a moot point whether lilies should or should not have
manure administered to them. Here, as elsewhere, we will give our own
experience of the matter. Most lilies appreciate manure if it is not
too strong or moist. Manure which is likely to turn the earth sour is
fatal to lilies. The remains of a hot-bed is the best possible kind of
manure to give to lilies. Place a little of the manure below the bulb
and a little above it, but do not let it come within two inches of the
bulb. The bulbs will rot if manure is placed near them.
Some lilies like a chalky soil, others show distinct aversion to it.
The swamp lilies and others which like peat object to lime in the soil.
_L. Candidum_ and _Monadelphum_ apparently require a considerable
quantity of lime.
All lilies require sand. Sand should be placed round and below each
bulb and should also be mixed with the earth in which the lilies are
planted. Clean, sharp river sand is the best to use, but sea sand or
clean silver sand may be used. Sand is used for the triple purpose of
attracting moisture, preventing stagnation, and rendering the soil
permeable.
The leaf mould most suitable for lilies is that formed from decayed oak
or beech leaves.
Clay is prejudicial to most lilies, but in very dry, sandy soil lumps
of clay may be placed about the lily bed. _L. Auratum_ likes a small
quantity of clay in the soil.
We have finished our remarks on the cultivation of the lily, and will
now glance into the æsthetic side of these noble flowers.
Though every lily is beautiful in itself, it does not follow that
it will look well in the flower bed. A garden should be a sheet of
beauty, not a herbarium in which curious and beautiful flowers grow
singly, each named and numbered, and requiring a guide to point out the
various objects of interest. No! A garden must be one harmonious blaze
of beauty, and though, of course, individually beautiful objects are
necessary to produce this result, a great deal depends upon the proper
grouping of the various constituents.
A bed of mixed lilies, in which all kinds were grown together, would
look simply ridiculous. To have _L. Giganteum_, ten feet high, next
door to _L. Rubellum_, of scarcely half as many inches, would be
absurd. You must think of the general look of your garden. You must
have pleasing contrasts of colour, and the plants arranged according to
their height or method of growth.
One of the most beautiful sights that we have ever seen was a garden
in Middlesex in which the path leading from the gate to the house was
lined on either side with a border of very fine _L. Candidum_. The
effect of the long lines of pure white blossoms was exceedingly fine,
but unfortunately this lily is only in flower for about one month of
the year. Still no one would grumble at having to wait eleven months
if such a splendid effect could be obtained, even if it lasts but a
twelfth of the year.
Have you ever seen a bed of _L. Monadelphum_ at the back of the
tropical palm-house at Kew? Last year it was a sight never to be
forgotten. The lilies were grown in a bed of small azaleas, the green
of whose foliage was a beautiful set-off to the gorgeous heads of
blossoms which towered three or four feet above the carpet of foliage.
There are other beds like this one planted with different sorts of
lilies, but only one species is present in each bed. In one bed _L.
Brownii_, in another _L. Croceum_, and in others again the various
varieties of _L. Auratum_ arrested the attention. All were perfect in
their way, but none of them gave us such keen delight as this bed of
_L. Monadelphum_.
A large clump of lilies of one variety is always a pleasing sight,
and so is a solitary lily rearing up its head high above the other
occupants of the flower bed. A small hillock covered with _L.
Longiflorum_, or the side of a stream with the lofty _L. Pardalinum_ is
also very beautiful.
When you wish to grow various kinds of lilies in the same bed, a good
deal of taste and experience is needed to produce a perfect effect. A
gradation in height from the centre to the borders is necessary. Tall
lilies planted at the edges of the bed are out of place, whilst the
dwarfer lilies are insignificant in the centre. Lilies in the ground
flower from April till November, and so a succession of these plants
can be obtained throughout the late spring, the summer and the autumn.
For artistic effects you must be careful not to place lilies of nearly
the same colour together. Never, for instance, place _L. Pomponium_
near to the red varieties of _L. Elegans_, else the effect is harsh and
displeasing. A mixed border of _L. Candidum_ and _L. Chalcedonicum_
produces a fine effect, especially if both plants flower at the same
time.[2]
Another fine picture can be caused by a mixed border of _L.
Longiflorum_ with the late red varieties of _Lilium Elegans_.
A considerable amount of taste can be shown in the proper grouping of
lilies, and the flower-grower who likes constant variety can satisfy
his desire by altering the arrangement from year to year.
(_To be continued._)
FOOTNOTES:
[1] That is, in the natural condition when left in the ground. If the
bulbs are taken out of the ground in August they will remain dormant
for a month or two.
[2] _Lilium Chalcedonicum_ usually flowered about a fortnight or more
later than _L. Candidum_, but occasionally both species flower at the
same time.
ABOUT PEGGY SAVILLE.
BY JESSIE MANSERGH (Mrs. G. de Horne Vaizey), Author of "Sisters
Three," etc.