Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-04-07
PASSING OF THE BERMUDA LILY.

DIR. Waiter McClurg Has Made Microscopic
Investigations as Ia the Cause oil the
nisease-continueh Growing of the Buihs
On tho Same soil Productive OF the
Trouble - Tie Flower Discovered by
Joseph Kift.
West Chester, Pa, Republican.
The many admirers of the beautiful
Bermuda lily, tho emblem Of Easter
will be sorry 10 learn that this most
sought after of Faster flowera ia on he
rapid road to complete extinction, un-
less something can soon be done TO
check the rayages of the disease which
at present threatens the destruction Of
that most admired OF spring blooms.
During the past several years dis
ease has been making inroads on the
Hover, and its growth and develop nent,
that the chances are very much against
lite ever being saved and grown 10 the
future. So thoroughly diseased has the
lily become that many growers pred let
another year may mark the entire pass
ing out Of the Easter lily.
The cause given for tine prospective
passing out of the Bermuda lily is said
to be duo to the constant growing of
these bulbs on the same soil, which
system has had the effect above stated.
Tho fact that land ia 80 scarce and
valuable in Bermuda renders it almost
impossible for the growers to uee a
system of crop rotation which If OBJ
served in tlme might have saved too
the lovers Of flowers this choice plant.
DIR. Walter McClurg OF Washington,
ID. o., has for some time mast besn
engaged in making microscopica in
vestigRtions as to the nature OF tho dis
ease and he finds that the disease is
one deeply seated In the bulbs and Of
such character as to be very hard to
combat with.
The disease has had the effect OF very
greatly reducing the number of lilioa
that will be offered for sale this spring
Florist Joseph Kift Of this borough,
stated TO a reporter last evening that of
l, 600 bulbs which he had ia COURSE of
development, not more than 200 hulhs
will be in condition to sell. Other
growers in other sections of the country
report similar experiences in their care
Of the lily.
IL is a fact we'll known, and remem-
heTed at least by many of our readers,
that the Bermuda lily was first die.
covered and given prominence by Josenh
kift, Jr.. of this borough, about 10
years ago. One day person who had
been in Bermuda was at the kift green
houses, in this borough, and while in
nversation with Mr.. Kift be remarked
about the beautiful bulb-like flowers
that we're seen growing in the grave
yards in that South American island.
The description Of the flower lead
Mr.. kift to bellows that its introduction
into this country would be a great
achievement, and following out that
idea he started for Bermuda. Upon
arriving on the island Mr.. Kift found
and examined the flowers, and then
procesded TO hire boys to gather all the
bulbs they could get, giving them tive
cents each for their gatherings.
AS u result of his gatherings no sue
ceeded in getting nine barrels of bulbs.
In taking his departure from the island
Mr. Kilt was arrested by the authori-
ties upon the charge of removing the
ahoye-named goods. but be was allowed
to 20 free upon the presentation of
proUf to the effect that each boy had
given receipts for the amount of money
paid them for collecting the bulbs.
After bringing them North Mr. Kift
developed the bulbs under glass, md
when the flowers were sold he received
about 50, 900 for them.
Some growers who are great admirers
OF the lily state that efforts will be
made TO grow the choice Easter flowers
in Florida, hut it will he merely an
experiment, and no one knows whether
or not it will prove successful