Lilium Candidum Successful cultivation of the Madonna Lily, L. Candidum,
has consistently eluded me. Imported bulbs, home bulbs, begged bulbs have all shrivelled ingloriously in soil which grows L. Regale, L. Henryi, L. Speciosum and others with considerable success. I have seen the Madonna grow with the lustiness of cattle cabbages in pure clay, in clay seasoned liberally with mortar, under hot south walls, in the middle of gravel paths, and under other conditions not laid down by the text books : but always for other people. Now a corre- spondent writes urging the use of coal. He advises digging a deep hole, putting in a quantity of small coal, and planting the bulbs at the right depth. Then a dressing of sorbex. I shall certainly try it. The essential for all lilies is good drainage, and it was the late E. G. Wilson who pointed out that, in nature the bulbs of lilies often rested on rock.
H. E. BATEs.
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