Japan And Other Lilies Calla Lilies

If we call the rose the "Queen of Flowers," what royal title shall we

bestow upon the beautiful Japan Lilies? We sometimes think it would be

proper to name the Rose the King, for its commanding aspect, and the

grandly beautiful Lily, the Queen of the floral kingdom. But, be this as

it may, we have only to gaze upon a collection of Japan Lilies when in

full bloom, and inhale their delicious odor, that perfumes the whole

atmosphere, to be convinced of their superiority over all other flowers.

Surely Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.



There are many different species and varieties of Lilies, but none

approach those known as Japan Lilies in the beauty and variety of their

flowers, and their exquisite fragrance. They are perfectly hardy, and

the fall is the proper time to plant them. If good strong bulbs are set

out in the ground in October or November, planted about eight inches

deep, they will throw up strong shoots the following summer, and bloom

freely. The flowers increase in size and beauty with the age of the

bulb, and this should be left to grow undisturbed in the same spot for

five or six years; afterwards, if desired, the bulbs can be dug up, the

offshoots removed, and the old bulbs reset, and they will do better than

ever. Any of the young bulbs that have been removed can be planted out

in the ground, and in a few years will form good blooming bulbs. The

time to perform this work is in the fall. Although entirely hardy

without protection, it will benefit these lilies very much, if during

the winter, they are covered with a coarse litter, leaves or any other

good covering. This should be raked off early in the spring, as manure

of any kind seems to injure them when they come in contact with it. The

soil in which they do best is a light, sandy loam, well drained. The

lily flourishes best in sunny locations. The following is a description

of the leading varieties:



LILIUM AURATUM.--This is the well-known Gold-banded Lily, and most

decidedly the finest of all the Japan Lilies.



L. CANDIDUM.--The old White Lily (not Japan) of the gardens; a splendid

sort; elegant, large, pure white flowers, in clusters; blooms earlier

than the others, but not the first year; it is one of the most beautiful

Lilies.



L. CITRINUM.--Very rare and beautiful; large, elegantly formed flowers;

color, pale yellow, exquisitely tinged with blush.



L. LONGIFLORUM.--Exceedingly beautiful; very long trumpet-shaped

flowers, pure snow white.



L. SPECIOSUM RUBRUM.--One of the finest of Japan Lilies; bright crimson

and white spotted; splendid large flower, borne in clusters, stem two to

three feet.



L. TIGRINUM--SINGLE TIGER LILY.--This splendid Lily is one of the best

in the list; the stem is tall; the flowers large and elegantly formed;

blooms in large clusters; color, brilliant orange scarlet with intense

black spots; remains in bloom a long time.



L. UMBELATUM.--Very showy, brilliant red, variegated flowers in

clusters.