The varied beauty of form and colour in the many species comprised in the genus Lily, and the sweet fragrance which some of them possess, combine to make one wonder why they are not more generally seen in our gardens.

I can well remember the beauty of some kinds that were common in cottage gardens years ago - the elegant tall white Lilium candidum, the orange Lily (Lilium aurantiacum) so dear to northern Ireland, the Tiger Lily (Lilium tigrinum), the Turk's Cap (Lilium martagon), etc. These are all worth growing, but there are some kinds of more recent introduction which are equally hardy and easy of cultivation.

One section contains Lilium longiflorum, Lilium eximium, and Lilium Take-sima, all dwarf-growing species and varieties, with large white bell-shaped flowers of exquisite odour. Lilium longiflorum is most common; Lilium eximium, when it can be obtained true, will be found to differ from it in having longer and more elegantly-shaped flowers; while Lilium Takesima is of a more robust habit, with black stems and larger flowers. An allied species is known as Lilium Brownii or Japonicum verum. This grows to about 4 feet, and has flowers of a creamy white shaded outside with dark brown. In my opinion it surpasses those previously mentioned in beauty.

Another section includes the varieties of Lilium umbellatum, sold under many different names, according to colour, which varies from pale citron to a rather dull crimson, plain or more or less spotted with darker colour. The flowers are bell-shaped, the odour scarcely perceptible, or slightly unpleasant.

In another section the flowers have the petals reflexed like the old Turk's Cap Lily, and this section contains species which vary much in their other characters. Among them are the following: -

Lilium Tenuifolium

Lilium Tenuifolium a small kind with slender leaves and scarlet flowers, very elegant.

Lilium Canadense Or Superbum

Lilium Canadense Or Superbum, a plant of elegant habit, with pale orange flowers spotted with black.

Lilium Excelsum, Lilium Excelsum, Lilium Testaceum, And Lilium Carneum

Lilium Excelsum, Lilium Excelsum, Lilium Testaceum, And Lilium Carneum are various names under which I have bought a Lily of very strong growth (about 5 feet in height) with buff flowers and crimson stamens. It is very hardy, and the bulbs increase rapidly. It is one of the finest of Lilies. I have not found it to be sweet-scented, as it is stated to be in some of the catalogues.

The varieties of Lilium lancifolium are well known for their beauty and sweetness; they do well in the open ground, as does Lilium auratum, which may now be procured at a moderate price.

Lilium Tenuifolium

Lilium Tenuifolium flowers early in June, and from thence to September other kinds come into bloom, until the varieties of Lilium lancifolium wind up the season in September.

All except the very tall-growing kinds are well suited for growth in pots. "When they require shifting into larger pots, the earth about the roots should only be partially removed, and the bulbs should not be allowed to get dry. George D. Brown.

Ealing, W.