Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-25
AUGUST is THE TIME
FOR PLANTING LILIES

Americans import thousands OF lily
bulbs every fall and get them from vice.
~ scattered sources-from Bermuoa'
France and the orient. Perhaps In TINE
our enterprising Agricultural Depar tnien.
will show us how to grow our own. MANY
varieties are not received until late IN tue
season, but two kinds come In august
which is the best month Tor star'ine
them. These lilies are candidum, the
old fas hioned madonna lily OF our graho-
mothers gardens, and the Bermuda, =,
Easter lily. The former is to De pianteo
in the open ground: the latter TO De pot
ted and forced in the house.
Years ago the madonna my was tne
popular Easter flower, but gradually IL
has been suppianted by the bermuda NY.
which is better for the purpose, at least
in the United States for 1t is more easily
forced and OF the whole Is rather more
beautiful. In parts of Europe the ma
donna lily blooms naturally out OF doors
at Easter time, and many different names
have been given it, SO that in one place
we find ii called the ascension lily, IN
another ST Joseph's lily and in Yet an
other the English Lent lily.
Probably the best bulbs OF this lily
come from the north of France. They
should be planted as soon as received.
for lilies have loose scales and are not
to be kept around like tulips and DAT
fodils until one has convenient season
when given a background of green and
perhaps set among shrubbery or in the
hardy border, where it need not be dis-
turbed for years. 1t does not care to be
fused with. and if let alone will bloom
freely year after year. The bulbs will
put out some foliage the same season II
set out in August, and will be well es-
tablished by spring. They should go into
the ground a depth equal to twice their
diameter, and they thrive in a deep, rich
loan. with which little well rotted
manure has been incorporated In this
respect they differ from many of the
other lilies, which like light soil. Good
drainage is needed and handful Of sand
under each bulb is an advantage. Par
tial shade is not objected to. and when
they are found blooming in the midst of
shrubbery, half hidden there and with
their perfume filing the air, the effect Is
RBy potting the Bermuda lily in August
it is an easy matter TO have flowers for
Qnistmas. The lilies often forced for
n6rsally come from Japan and are
re tier in the season. Sometimes
they listed as japanese Easter lilies.
and they are hardy enough to plant in the
open, but, of course viii not bloom at
Easter time unless forced.
The true Bermuda lily-the catalogue
makers call it Lilium Harrisii-is an ex-
cellent plant for the window garden, is
sweet scented and will last a long time
when cut. Those bulbs which one may
desire to have flower early should be
started in shaded greenhouse or in a
cold frame. or even in the open with a
little protection from the sun. The cold
frame Is an excellent place, for shade
may be given easily and protection from
rain provided when heavy showers come.
Little water is needed at first, and fore
ing is not to be started until roots fill
the pot and the top is well developed.
When the bulbs are wanted for Easter
blooming the best plan Is to pot them
as soon as they arrive and then bury the
pots in the garden until the first or mid.
die of November, depending upon whether
Easter comes early or late. When taker
indoors growth may be retarded or ad
vanced by the heat of the room. A good
| steady growth will be made with an aver.
| age night temperature of IS. When the
| spikes are sixteen inches high 1t will helr
to give weekly applications of manure
water about the color of weak tea.
| 1t is always well to have some coarse
| material In the bottom of the pots to pro
vide for drainage, although this is not 81
necessary for the early as for the late
| flowers. A good. rich loan to which
| about a fifth of spent hotbed manur,
has been added is excellent for Eastel
lilies. Fresh manure is to be strictly
| barred out.
| If it were not for plant lice growing
| the Easter lily would be a very sim
| pie matter. This pest just dotes on Ill,
| buds and the plants must be sprayed con
| stantly with nicotine. getting 1t into tn,
! crowns. And it may be added that q
| stake will often save plant being broker
| off at the neck.