Work in the Garden
instead of away from it. A good general planting mix should be approximately one-third good fibrous loam, onethird leaf mould or peat, one-sixth sand and one-sixth of three-eighth inch metal chips. This should be partly mixed * with the surrounding soil. The percentage of peat or leaf mould should be increased for the American lilies. Order Bulbs Early Bulbs should be ordered early, as they are now in fairly short supply. It is also necessary to plant as early in the autumn as possible to ensure establishment before winter. Planting depths vary with the type of soil. Generally * speaking, they should be two inches deeper in light sandy soils than in average loamy soils. Actually, nature has endowed these bulbs with contractile roots which draw the plants down to the most suitable level in the soil* The size of the bulb will also make a difference, as it is unwise to plant a small bulb more than twice its own depth. Stem-rooting lilies develop additional roots on the stem above the bulb, and consequently three or four inches or more will give them more room to develop. L. giganteum and allies are planted with the tips of the bulb just below ground level. Stepping stones leading in and around , the plants are an advantage in wide borders, and the soil will be kept in better condition if untramped. Great care must be exercised in cultivation, as some lilies, notably L. duchartrei and ' L. wilmottiae, spread underground before they show through. A sawdust or rotted organic material is advisable. This will keep the soil cool and conserve moisture. Spray to keep aphis under control, as these pests spread virus and deform young growths, particularly on auratums and speciosums in the late spring. The lilies are quite hardy plants and may be unexpectedly easy if conditions are to their liking.
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Lake County Mail, Issue 33, 21 January 1948, Page 8
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311Work in the Garden Lake County Mail, Issue 33, 21 January 1948, Page 8
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