Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/99

Rh In making arrangements for growing liliums in pots it is advisable to grow a portion of each kind in large and a portion in small pots, the former for front rows and the latter for intermixing with the tall-growing subjects at the back. For small specimens six-inch pots should be employed, and one bulb put in each; and for the large specimens pots ranging from eight to twelve inches in diameter should be used, and have from four to eight bulbs in each.

The proper moment for shaking out of the old soil, or for shifting the bulbs into other pots, is as early in the autumn as possible, and the decay of the stems will afford the best indication of the proper time for the work to be done. If it is desired to give the bulbs a fresh compost without increasing the size of the pot, they must be carefully shaken out of the old soil, without injuring whatever healthy roots they may have attached to them. They will not suffer very materially if all the roots are removed when repotted at the period here mentioned, but it is preferable to preserve them from injury, if it can be conveniently done. Those to be shifted into larger pots should not be shaken out altogether, but a portion of the old soil should be removed. It is highly advantageous to shift the bulbs on without divesting them of every particle of soil, for it is in this manner that the magnificent specimens of L. auratum which have been exhibited have been obtained, some of them presenting nearly a hundred flowers fully expanded at one time. If shifted early, they will be furnished with healthy roots, which will be of immense assistance in promoting a vigorous growth from the first. On the other hand, when repotted in the spring the production of roots and the growth of the stem go on simultaneously, and a poor bloom is the result.

Lilies should have a rather light and moderately-rich compost, consisting of turfy loam one part, fibrous peat one part, and partly-decayed horse-droppings, and leaf-mould, in equal proportions, one part, all well incorporated together. If the peat is not of a sandy character, add a small proportion of washed road-grit, or river sand, or sharp silver-sand. We have frequently used loam containing no fibrous matter whatever, and have made up for the deficiency by the addition of a small proportion of cocoa-nut fibre refuse. The soil must be pressed rather firm, so as to give the plants all the food possible. The drainage must be perfect; and if a few