Evening star., 1942-11-14

common tiger lily are infected In q
lnjure them, but other lilies growing
For this reason it is advisable to );
grow the tiger by itself few rods
distant from any other species.
Species that are regarded as highly
susceptible are Lilium auratun,
formosanum, longiflorum CASTER,
and speciosum. whereas Davidi
Hansoni, Henryi, Martagon, pumili-
um (tenuifolium), regale. and Will
mottiae and their hybrids are least
troubled by mosaic, although they
are not immune.
AS mosaic is not transmitted.
through the seed, even though it be.
taken from diseased plants, the,
surest and safest way to obtain
healthy bulbs is to grow them from
seed. Some species will flower with
in 18 months from planting the
seed; others the third Of fourth year.,
Lilies may be divided into two !,
groups as regards germination-Os :
those that germinate promptly and
send up cotyledon the first year,.
which is soon followed by true leaves
during the season, and CD those,
that germinate the first season and
form a tiny bulb, but with a short.
cotyledon that remains under
ground. No true leaves are pro-
duced until the tiny bulbs have
passed through a cold period.
Among those in the first group
that make leaf growth the first sea-,
son and grow comparatively rapidly
are amabile. callosum, concolor,
David, formosanum, Henry, longi-.
forum, Maximowiczi, tenuifolium,
regale, and Willmottiae. The follow
ing lilies make no above-ground
growth until the second spring.
Auratum. canadense, Grayi. Hansont,a.
Martagon, speciousm and superbum.
The seedbed may be prepared on
level ground In frame feet
wide and as long as necessary. A
light, loose, well-drained fertile soil
Allied with organic matter is desir-"
able. 1t must be thoroughly pre-
pared by spading and raking until
it Is in a mellow condition. Remove
the top inch and SOW In rows or
broadcast the seed Of those species
of the first group as early in springs
as possible. Label carefully and
cover with the inch of soil that was
removed. Water as needed, but do
not keep the soil saturated. The
cotyledons of some species may ap-i
pear in two or three weeks, others
may require six to eight. About
two weeks after planting, and before
growth appears, dust the soil we'll
until covered with copper carbonate
to prevent damping- of the young
seedlings. disease that Is highly
fatal. All weeds should be removed
while quite small to prevent dis
turbing the seedlings.
1t Is advisable to cover the frame
with wire netting to prevent cats
and dogs from disturbing the seed
bed. During the hot summer
months frequent watering, at least
once day before noon, will be need
ed Lath shades a few inches above
the frame will cut down evaporation
and protect the seedlings from the
hot sun. but the shade should be re-
moved during wet or cloudy weather.
Spraying with Bordeaux mixture
(4-2-50) is helpful in preventing
Botrytis from destroying the foliage.
The seedbed should be mulched In
December with marsh hay, clean
straw, hemlock or pine boughs, ex-
celsior or glass wool for winter pro.
lection or the frame may be COW
cred with boards. Special attention
should be given to mouse control,
as mice are fond Of lily bulbs. After
the first warm days Of spring the
seed bed should be examined and
the mulch removed as soon as
growth starts. The care during the
second season is similar to that OF
the first.
In late September or early October
the bulbs are large enough to be
lifted and moved to nursery row
or bed of rich mellow. well-pre-
pared soil in protected place.
Some of the bulbs, particularly those
of tenuifolium, formosanum and
regal, will be large enough to plant
in the border. The others should
be planted 4 inches deep and or 8
inches apart in 8-inch rows and
grown on for year or two.
With few exceptions lilies Of the
second group are no more difficult
to raise than the others. More
patience and a longer period are
required to grow bulbs to blooming
size. Any one of three methods Of
planting may be followed. Cd Tho
seed is sown as mentioned above
and then the ground is covered with
mulch paper or several inches Of
hay or clean straw to prevent weed
growth. Occasional watering is
necessary. The mulch is removed
early the following spring. ca The
seed may be planted in flats any
time during the spring up to late
June. The fats are stacked in the
cellar and watered about once a
month. In November the flats are
removed to the coldframe and
mulched. Weeds are not trouble
some during the first season, as
they die in the darkness. 90
Another method which has had
little trial but offers the saving Of
year is to sow the seeds in early
fall in flats which are stacked in
the cellar where 1t is warm enough
for termination. After three months
the flats should be removed to the
coldframe and mulched for the re-
mainder Of the winter. The tiny
bulbs will 60 through the cold period
which is necessary before they put
up their true leaves.
More frequent watering Of tho
fats IN the coldframe Is necessary
than where the seed is sown in beds. .
The subsequent care Is the same as