Lilium.--The Lily is admirably adapted for pot culture, the
conservatory, and the flower border, and will flourish in any light
soil or situation. To produce fine specimens in pots they should be
grown in a mixture of light turfy loam and leaf-mould. Six bulbs
planted in a 12-in. pot form a good group. The pots should have free
ventilation, and the bulbs be covered with 1 in. of mould. For outdoor
cultivation plant the bulbs 4 to 5 in. deep, from October to March.
After once planting they require but little care, and should not be
disturbed oftener than once in three years, as established plants
bloom more freely than if taken up annually. Give a thin covering of
manure during the winter. Lilium seed may be sown in well-drained pots
or shallow boxes filled with equal parts of peat, leaf-mould, loam,
and sand. Cover the seeds slightly with fine mould and place the boxes
or pots in a temperature of 55 or 65 degrees. A cold frame will
answer the purpose, but the seeds will take longer to germinate. The
Lancifolium and Auratum varieties have a delicious fragrance.
Lilium--_continued_.
_CANDIDUM_ (the Madonna, or White Garden Lily) should be planted
before the middle of October, if possible, in groups of three, in
well-drained, highly-manured loam. Should they decline, take them up
in September and re-plant at once in fresh, rich soil, as they will
not stand being kept out of the ground long. They are increased by
off-sets. As soon as these are taken from the parent bulb, plant them
in a nursery-bed; after two years they may be transferred to the
garden. This Lily is quite hardy, and needs no protection during
winter.
_LANCIFOLIUM_ make very fine pot-plants, or they may be placed in a
sunny situation in the border, but in the latter case they must have
a thick covering of dry ashes in winter. If grown in pots place them,
early in March, in rich, sandy soil. Three bulbs are sufficient for an
11-in. pot. Give very little water, but plenty air in mild weather.
Let them grow slowly. When all frost is over place pans under them,
mulch the surface with old manure, and supply freely with air and
water. They are propagated by off-sets.
_MARTAGON_ (or Turk's Cap) requires the same treatment as the
Candidum, with the exception that a little sand should be added to the
soil.
_TIGRINUM_ (Tiger Lily) also receives the same treatment as the
Madonna. When the flower-stems grow up they throw out roots. A few
lumps of horse manure should be placed round for these roots to lay
hold of. They are increased by the tiny bulbs which form at the axis
of the leaves of the flower-stem. When these fall with a touch they
are planted in rich, light earth, about 6 in. apart. In four or five
years' time they will make fine bulbs.
_AURATUM_ and _SZOVITZIANUM_ (or Colchicum) thrive best in a deep,
friable, loamy soil, which should be well stirred before planting. If
the soil is of a clayey nature it should be loosened to a depth of
several feet, and fresh loam, coarse sand, and good peat or leaf-mould
added, to make it sufficiently light.
For _PARDALINUM_ (the Panther Lily) and _SUPERBUM_ mix the garden soil
with three parts peat and one part sand, and keep the ground moist.
They should occupy a rather shady position.
All the other varieties will succeed in any good garden soil enriched
with leaf-mould or well-decayed manure.
For _VALLOTA_ (Scarborough Lily), _BELLADONNA_, and _FORMOSISSIMA_ (or
Jacobean) Lilies, _see_ "Amaryllis."