The propagation of the Easter lily from seed

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scientific knowledge, policies, or practices

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY— BULLETIN NO. 39.

B. T. GALLOWAY, Chief of Bureau,.

THE PROPAGATION OF THE EASTER
LILY FROM SEED.

BY

GEORGE W. OLIVER, Expert.

SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION:

Issued June 24, 1903.

WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE,

190 3.

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(

Bui. 39, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Plate I.

Seedling Lilies in Bloom. Six Months and Thirteen Days After Germinating.

A, Liliurn longiflorurn x L. harrisii; B. L. harrisii x L. longiflorura. showing large flower.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY— BULLETIN NO. 39.

B. T. GALLOWAY, Chief of Bun

THE PROPAGATION OF THE EASTER
LILT FROM SEED.

BY

GEORGE W. OLIVER, Expert.

SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION AND DISTRI

BUTTON.

Issued June 24, 1903.

WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

1903.

BUREAU OF PLAXT INDUSTRY.

Beverly T. Galloway, Chief of Bureau.

SEED AND PLANT INTRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION.

SCIENTIFIC STAFF.

A. J. Pieters, Botanist in Charge.

David G. Fairchild, Agricultural Explorer.

W. W. Tracy, sr., Special Agent.

S. A. Knapp, Special Agent.

John E. W. Tracy, Expert.

George \V. Oliver, Expert.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

U. S. Department oe Agriculture,

Bureau of Plant Industry,

Office of the Chief,
Washington, D. C, May b, 1903.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a paper entitled " The
Propagation of the Easter Lily from Seed,", and respectfully recom-
mend that it be published as No. 39 of the series of Bulletins of this
Bureau.

This paper was prepared by Mr. George W. Oliver, Expert, and
was submitted for publication by the Botanist in Charge of Seed and
Plant Introduction and Distribution.
Respectfully,

B. T. Galloway,

Chief of Bureau.
Hon. James Wilson,

Secretary of Agriculture.

CONTENTS

Page.

The Bermuda lily 7

Varieties of Lilium longifiorum from Japan 8

Deterioration of the Bermuda and Japan grown lilies 9

Recent efforts to cultivate the Easter lily in the United States 11

Lines of investigation carried on by the Department of Agriculture 13

Planting in the open ground 15

Reproduction from seed 16

Emasculating and pollinating the flowers 18

Sowing the seeds 19

Pricking off the seedlings 20

Description of plates 24

5

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page
Plate I. Seedling lilies in bloom, six months and thirteen days after germi-
nating. A. — Lilium longiflorum X L. harrisii. B. — Lilium harrisii

X L. longiflorum Frontispiece.

II. Lilium longiflorum: Fig. 1. — Tall-growing variety from Japan.
Fig. 2. — Low-growing variety from Japan, with long, broad leaves.
Fig. 3. — Tall-growing variety from Japan, with long and broad
leaves along the entire length of the stem 24

III. Capsules and seeds of Lilium harrisii X L. longiflorum 24

IV. Lilium harrisii X L. longiflorum: Fig. 1. — Seedlings in 2-inch pots,

five weeks after germination. Fig. 2. — Seedlings in 2£-inch pots,

ten weeks after germination 24

Y. Lilium harrisii X L. longiflorum: Fig. 1. — Bulb eighteen weeks after
germination. Fig. 2. — Seedling bulbs of Lilium harrisii X L.

longiflorum, grown from seed within ten months 24

VI. Diseased Bermuda lily bulbs: A. — Cross section of bulb that began
to grow, though the tissue was eaten by mites. B. — Cross section

of bulb, with bud eaten by mites, that failed to grow 24

VII. Germination of Lilium longiflorum 24

6

B. P. I.— 50. S. P. I. D.— 32

THE PROPAGATION OF THE EASTER LILY

FROM SEED.

THE BERMUDA LILY.

In the United States Lilium harrisii came into prominence nearly
twenty -five }^ears ago, a few bulbs being- brought from the Bermudas
about that time. These were propagated and their superiority for
early forcing demonstrated. Elwes, in his monograph of the genus
Lilium, mentions the introduction of the same variety from Japan into
Great Britain at about the same period. He also states that the
Lilium longijlorum was introduced into Great Britain by the RoyaL
Horticultural Society in 1819. Lilium harrisii has the distinction of
coming into bloom much earlier than the true L. longijlorum with
similar treatment. It is probably the type of L. longijlorum which
is found farthest south in the region where that species is indigenous.
This region comprises southern and central China, the Kiu Kiu
Islands, and south Japan.

From small beginnings a little more than twenty years ago, the
Easter-lily industry has assumed vast proportions in recent years. In
Bermuda more than 3,000,000 bulbs are exported annually to the
United States. In Japan, at the present dav, millions of bulbs are
grown from seed each year, the demand being so large that enough
can not be grown from vegetative reproduction. But, unfortunately,
up to the present time there has been no selection from the seedlings.
This is the reason why with each importation from Japan many bulbs
are found which, When the plants begin to bloom, lack uniformity in
size of stem, time of flowering, and other characteristics. It is
reported that the Japanese department of agriculture has taken the
matter in hand, with a view to inducing the growers to weed out infe-
rior seedlings and propagate only from the best. It is owing princi-
pally to the decadence of the Bermuda crop that the demand for bulbs,
chiefly of L. longijlorum from Japan, has increased so very markedly
in recent years. In 1879 the value of the bulbs exported from that

7

8 PROPAGATION OF EASTER LILY FROM SEED.

country was $2,500; in 1895, $40,000. In 1899, however, the figures
jumped to §130,000, and the increase during' the past three seasons
has doubtless made corresponding strides.

VARIETIES OF LILIUM LONGLFLORUM FROM JAPAN.

The bulbs imported from Japan are chiefly Z. long (riorum. Among
them are several distinct varieties which differ from each other
principally in the periods of blooming, but also in foliage, flowers, and
general habit. Some have the leaves close together on the stem, the
longest and broadest at the base, gradually shortening as the summit is
reached. (See PI. II, fig. 1.) Others have broad leaves, not so numerous
as in the case of the plant just mentioned and with less difference in
breadth and length between those at the base of the stem and those
near the apex (PI. II. figs. 2 and 3.) Some of the forms appear to be of a
fixed type so far as scarcity of blooms is concerned. This is attributed
to seedling stock raised from unselected parentage and the failure to
breed continuously from the most desirable of the seedling plants. If
this is the case, as there is good evidence to suppose, it is little wonder
that the imported stock lacks uniformity in many of the most desirable
characteristics.

Among the numerous forms there is one which shows great supe-
riority over the others. In every respect it may be regarded as an
ideal lily. It is said to have been found in a certain locality in Japan
and named after the place where it was discovered. It is offered by
two dealers under the names Z. longiflorwm giganteum and Z. longi-
-fiorwin exime um giganteum. It is said to be a difficult subject to propa-
gate vegetatively: consequently it is higher priced than any of the
others. Some years ago when first sent to this country it was thought
to be a natural hybrid between Z. longiflorum and L. ftrownii. The
leaves of this variety are not as numerous as in some varieties of Z.
long (flora in; they gradually taper from base to summit, but in this
respect are not as pronounced as in some other forms. The stem for
several inches above the base is of a blackish-brown color. The flowers
are graceful in shape, the tube is short, and the diameter across the
perianth is large. The texture of the flower is much firmer than that
of any other cultivated lily, and the color is of a dazzling clear white.
Either on the plant or in a cut state the flowers, hy reason of their
thick texture, last longer than those of any other form of Z. longiflo-
rum. With regard to the time it takes to force, it occupies a position
in this respect midway between Z. longijlomim and Z. harrisii.
Unfortunately, however, disease is quite as prevalent in this form as
in others. Therefore, the propagation of the limited amount of stock
available by scales, offsets, or division, and under the same conditions

DETERIOKATION OF LILIES. 9

as those existing- in the Bermudas will be accompanied with no better
results than are found in the L. harrisii product of the island. A
bright future for this plant is predicted, not only on its individual
merits but also as a parent, both male and female, from which to raise
new forms through crossing with other varieties of L. longiflormn.

In the greenhouses of the Department of Agriculture there are at
present several combinations between this plant and the most approved
forms of L. harrisii. The plants are still in the seedling stage, but
they will be watched with very great interest to determine the results
of careful cross fertilization with the other varieties. Although the
plants are so small that 100 could easily be put inside of a thimble,
they are expected to flower within seven months.

Some bulbs of this little-known variety which were planted out in
the open during the autumn of 1901 along with other L. longiflorwn
and L. harrisii plants, to test their hardiness and blooming periods
and also to learn of their adaptability to the soil of this section, showed
that they were not only hardy, but that the blooming period was ten
days in advance of the earliest of the L. longiflorum. The bulbs
planted were small and when lifted, during the latter part of August,
were found to have increased considerably in size, besides making
several small bulbs at the bases of the stems. The soil used is com-
posed of friable loam, having been under cultivation a long time, but
no manure had been given within two years before planting. Two dry
spells occurred during the period of growth and this retarded their
development to some extent.

DETERIORATION OF THE BERMUDA AND JAPAN GROWN LILIES.

Owing to the frequent and constantly increasing number of com-
plaints relative to the diseased condition of the Bermuda and Japan-
grown Easter lilies, the growers of this countiy are confronted with
a condition to which considerable attention has alread}r been given
with a view to mitigating the troubles with which the}^ have to con-
tend in forcing the bulbs into bloom. When it is considered that
probably over 5,000,000 lily bulbs are forced into flower during the
winter and spring months, it will be seen that the crop is of great
value; but notwitstanding all that has been done, the experiences of
the principal greenhouse men indicate that the profits are very much
curtailed owing to the diseased condition of the plants.

This disease shows its presence by the leaves becoming more or less
discolored and the shape of the leaf altered so as to appear twisted.
The flowers also lack the usual form and substance and the whole
plant is dwarfed. When in bloom, if it ever reaches that stage, the
diseased plant does not bring one-fourth of the price obtainable for a

10 PKOPAGATION OF EASTER LILY FROM SEED.

healthy plant. During the past year complaints have been received
from some of the largest growers that of their plants the bulbs of
which were obtained from Japan and Bermuda from 20 to 60 per cent
were diseased, and almost all of these were unsalable.

The causes of the diseased condition of the plants have been inves-
tigated by the best pathologists in this country and in Europe. Mr.
A. F. Woods, Pathologist and Physiologist of the Bureau of Plant
Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture, issued a bulletin in 1897
giving the result of his investigations of the lily disease/' In this
wTork the causes of the disease are discussed and remedies suggested.
The florists of this country, however, who force the lilies have not
the remedies in their own hands, as the disease is present in the bulbs
before they are imported. In a later paper Mr. Woods has discussed
the relation of nutrition to the health of plants, with special reference
to Lilium harrisii.b

Lily growing on the Bermuda Islands is an exceedingly profitable
industry. Practically all the land available for the production of bulbs
is utilized for this purpose, and while the rotation of crops, together
with the most approved methods of selection and cultivation, would
undoubtedly be eventually a good policy for the growers to pursue,
yet, except in the case of the more progressive growers, there is little
likelihood of this being done, as it would materially decrease the
revenue from lily farming for the time being. This will readily be
understood when it is stated that an acre of lilies will bring from
$1,000 to $2,000. Some growers on the islands who thoroughly appre-
ciate the importance of careful methods are using small bulbs in pref-
erence to scales, and are selecting and fertilizing carefully, but they
are heavily handicapped by the many small growers who cultivate
their crops according to old methods; and in these cases there is no
selection with a view to producing and perpetuating good types. Little
manure is given. The methods of propagation are very faulty and
they have not been changed since the beginning of the industry in
the islands. For instance, in the growing of the bulbs for American
markets the smaller sizes are planted in the fall and harvested in July,
or before the bulbs have thoroughly ripened. In the process of han-
dling, many of the immature scales drop from the bulbs. These are
not thrown away, as they ought to be, but are carefully saved and
planted with a view to raising small bulbs. These bulbs ultimately
form a large part of the general crop.

As a result of some investigations made by the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, it has been shown that by the use of seeds instead

"Bulletin No. 14, Vegetable Physiology and Pathology, U. S. Department of
Agriculture, 1897.

& Yearbook U. S. Department of Agriculture, 1901, pp. 155-176.

CULTIVATION IN THE UNITED STATES. 11

of scales larger bulbs can be secured in a much shorter time than can
be produced by the scale method. If the general crop were raised
from seeds there would be a saving of at least a year in the production
of a marketable bulb. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that in
this way plants can be grown which are entirely free from disease, and,
most important of all, that the seedlings give an opportunity , to select
better types than exist at the present time.

RECENT EFFORTS TO CULTIVATE THE EASTER LILY IN THE
UNITED STATES.

For some years efforts have been made to cultivate successfully the
Easter lily in the Southeastern States. This work is of considerable
value in showing future growers what to avoid, but it has so far not
been demonstrated that the lily, with the methods used, can be grown
to compete with the foreign product. Not only are the bulbs late in
ripening, but when harvested they seldom show any increase in size
over that at the time of planting. The cultivation of the lily in the
Southern States has evidently been conducted with a view to produc-
ing bulbs which would ripen in July, or early enough to compete with
the Bermuda-grown product. This result has not been accomplished,
and with a continuance of the same cultural methods it is not likely to
be. Furthermore, a practice which has undoubtedly contributed
somewhat to this lack of success consists in using the stock as received
from the Bermudas and Japan. It is admitted that in the Southeast^
ern States the climate is not as favorable for the bulbs as it is in the
countries mentioned; therefore, it follows that early planted bulbs
starting into growth during the warm days of autumn and weakened
by the cold spells of winter will fall an easy prey to the diseases present
in the imported bulbs when planted. If success is to be attained in the
future in producing bulbs of marketable size, it must be with different
methods and along entirely different lines from those followed in the
past.

It has been demonstrated by Mr. A. F. Woods, of the Bureau of
Plant Industry, that bulbs of the Easter lily can be carried over a sea-
son in cold storage. Not only is this operation a success in itself, but
it has resulted in showing that the bulbs are benefited very materially
by this treatment, as it subjects them to a condition to a certain extent
approaching that existing in Japan, the native country of the species,
where the bulbs are heavily covered with snow during the resting
period. This fact opens up new possibilities in the cultivation of the
lily. Heretofore, bulbs have been planted in some parts of the South
early in the fall, with the result that they sprouted considerably before
cool weather set in. In fact, the growth made at a certain period was

12 PROPAGATION OF EASTER LILY FROM SEED.

quite as far advanced as that in Bermuda at the same date; but the
climatic and soil conditions being so different in the South from those
prevailing in Bermuda, the results were more or less disastrous. The
growth above ground, where the plant was not killed outright, was
more or less injured by cold and other generally unfavorable conditions.
During the period before coming into bloom, the plants rendered sickly
during the winter often suffered severely from lack of moisture, result-
ing in poorly developed bulbs.

So far, practically nothing has been done in experimental work with
a view to giving the bulbs the most favorable conditions to develop,
leaving out of consideration altogether early ripening for forcing the
following fall. It is the intention of the Department of Agriculture
to work with this end in view, not only in the South but in the Middle
and Northern States and also in the West.

A knowledge of the proper time to plant the bulbs in the various
sections of the country in order to produce a bulb of maximum size in
as short a time as possible but in a thoroughh' ripe condition before
being harvested is most important, and this knowledge is to be gained
only by carefully conducted trials. Every florist who is interested
should experiment in a small way to ascertain how the bulbs will suc-
ceed out of doors in his section of the country.

The soil problem does not present many difficulties beyond the selec-
tion of well-drained situations and a light, sandy loam, which can be kept
sufficiently moist during the growing season to prevent the plants from
receiving a check. Treatment should be accorded a portion of the
bulbs similar to that found to succeed with bulbs of the other species
of Lilium, such as L. auratwn. This consists in placing in the vicin-
ity of the bulb, moss or other material which will retain more moisture
than the surrounding soil. During dry weather this is found to be an
excellent provision for .supplying the growing roots with moisture
until a fresh supply is received from rains and until the roots pene-
trate deeply into the ground, so as to withstand dry spells. In trials
of this nature the bulbs should be allowed to stay as long as possible
in the ground after the tops decay. They should be harvested just
before there is danger of their beginning growth for the following
season, because any interference that tends to cause premature shriv-
eling and decay- of the thick roots near the base of the bulb, such
as harvesting before natural ripening occurs, invariably occasions a
shrinkage of the tissue of the outer scales and incidentally provides a
ready means of ingress for fungi and bacteria to the tissue of the bulb
through the ruptured tissue of the roots. This condition of premature
decay, while the bulbs of the field are subjected to moisture, even for
a short time, provides favorable harbors for mites, which, although
their purpose at first may be merely to feed on the decaying tissues

LINES OF INVESTIGATION. 13

and act as scavengers, will ultimately injure what remains of the bulb
by attacking the living tissues, rendering the bulb more susceptible to
other maladies. Thus by a system of vegetative reproduction, the
bulbs, even though they be in a healthy condition and free from dis-
ease of all kinds previous to lifting, may afford by careless harvesting
a lodgment for various enemies and give opportunities favorable for
disease year after year.

LINES OF INVESTIGATION CARRIED ON BY THE DEPARTMENT

OF AGRICULTURE.

That the progress of the disease is accelerated through the present
methods of handling and cultivation is shown by the fact that in the
Bermudas there are private gardens in which the lily has been undis-
turbed for years where the plants grown show no trace of disease.
The recent investigations by Mr. A. F. Woods show that the disease
is due to several causes, and may be brought about by a weakened
condition through improper harvesting, resulting in the attacks of
mites, fungi, and bacteria. There is nothing to indicate just how
long it would take to rid the plants of the disease by giving proper
treatment in the Bermudas, but the easiest way out of the difficulty
appears to be in raising and selecting stock plants not from scales, but
from seeds, and in planting the bulbs within oar own borders, where, if
given the care which the crop demands, there is every reason to
expect that the difficulty will be solved in the near future.

In a large number of seedlings at least 50 per cent can be counted
upon to possess desirable characteristics, which will be shown the first
year following that in which the seed is sown by the plants coming
into flower. The remainder can, if it is thought necessary, be dis-
carded and the good ones grown on for forcing, the size necessary for
which will be attained the season following, or within two years from
the time the seeds are sown. The very best of these seedlings, some
of which will undoubtedly show superiority in several ways over the
parents, can be retained for seed, and by keeping up the system of
selection there will develop in a very few years strains from seed
which will be superior to most of the plants placed upon the market
at the present day.

In beginning the work of bulb growing in the United States along
entirely new lines there seemed little probability of securing stock
from the Bermudas or Japan for vegetative reproduction, which
could be relied upon as absolutely free from disease. There are locali-
ties in the Bermudas where lilies are growing which appear to be quite
healthy; there is, however, a danger of the bulbs being more or less
contaminated, owing to the close proximity of the districts where the

14 PROPAGATION OF EASTER LILY FROM SEED.

diseased bulbs are grown. Therefore recourse must be had to some
method other than vegetative reproduction from foreign-grown bulbs.

The beginning of the experimental work along this line has been
carried on with the utmost care. Several bulbs of the true Z. longi-
florum and its principal forms were secured. These bulbs showed no
indications of the presence of the disease by the usual diagnosis. As
the growth above ground developed, those plants which in any way
showed signs of abnormal development were removed from the green-
house and destroyed. A rigid process of selection was carried on up
to the time the plants came into flower, with the result that at the
blooming period the various groups were made up of fine specimens
of the several types of X. longiflorum. These were Z. J. ezrimeum,
otherwise Z. harrisii\ Z. I. JatifoUunu Z. I. multiflorum and Z. 1.
eximeum giganteum. Each group was kept separate from the others
so that there should be no likelihood of accidental intercrossing.
Those plants which were selected as seed bearers were emasculated
while the anthers were still immature. In no case was a plant allowed
to have a flower fertilized by its own pollen or even from that of other
flowers on the same plant. In this way the chances are the greater
that the resulting seedlings will show more vigor than if each flower
had been self-pollinated, or if pollen had been transferred from one
flower to others on the same plant.

A series of crosses were effected between differing forms, which it
is hoped will result in securing types different from those now in cul-
tivation. The flowers of several plants of Z. longiflorum were fecun-
dated with pollen taken from flowers of Z. harrisiL and vice versa.
The seedlings from these crosses have already flowered, and the results
are very satisfactory. They are especially valuable in pointing out
future work along the same lines. The progress made by the seed-
lings as a result of these crosses is somewhat remarkable, in that they
bore flowers in a comparatively short time after germinating. Plate
III shows the capsules and seeds of Z. harrisii crossed with Z. longi-
florum. Plate VII represents the different stages of germination.
In Plate IV, fig. 1, the seedlings are in 2-inch pots, about five weeks
after making their appearance above the soil. In three of the seed-
lings the seed coats are seen adhering to the ends of the seed leaves.
A later stage is indicated in Plate IV, fig. 2, where the seedlings are
more advanced, having made from two to four character leaves. This
represents the progress made in ten weeks after germinating. From
this stage onward the growth is quite rapid.

f In Plate V, fig. 1, is seen a seedling with all the radical leaves showing,
but not fully developed. This is the stage just previous to the devel-
opment of the flower stem. The bulb at this period is nearly 3 inches

PLANTING IN THE OPEN GROUND. 15

in circumference and is wholly formed of the bases of the leaves.
This particular bulb was in no way injured by the soil being washed
from the roots; it was repotted and formed a stem, which bore two
flowers.

Of the two seedlings in flower (PL I) the one to the left, marked "A,"
is Z. longiflorum, crossed with Z. harrisii; that to the right, marked
" B," is the reciprocal cross. There is a very marked difference in the
size of the flowers, the one to the right being fully 2 inches longer
' than the other. This difference was observable in nearly all of the
individuals of the Z. harrisii X Z. longiflorum batch.

The bulbs shown in Plate V, fig. 2, are the largest which were
formed. They belong to the Z. harrisii X Z. longiflorum batch and
were harvested on the 15th of August, ten months and fourteen days
after the seeds germinated. The bulb to the right measured 6 inches
in circumference. Each of the plants bore three average-sized flowers.
It will be seen that the bulb formed as in Plate V, fig. 1, has disap-
peared, and new bulbs with true scales have formed at the bases of
the stems.

PLANTING IN THE OPEN GROUND.

Batches of lilies for experimental work in ascertaining localities
favorable to the production of bulbs should be planted late or early
according to the particular section of the country in which the exper-
iment is to be conducted. In the North it may be considered safe to
put them in the ground during the latter half of September. Farther
south the planting should be delayed so that there may be no danger
of the growth showing above ground previous to freezing weather.

In the North as hard freezing weather approaches the ground in
which the bulbs are planted should have a heavy mulch of such a
nature as to be easily removed in spring. This mulch will serve
several purposes; it will help to keep the soil around the bulb at an
equable temperature and prevent rapid thawing and freezing at and
near the surface of the soil. Throughout the South, especially in the
districts within the frost belt, the mulch need not be heavy, and should
consist of half -decayed leaves or very old manure, so that there will
exist no necessity for its removal when the growths are making their
way through the soil. It should not be applied too soon, as there is
then a danger of the soil being kept too warm, thus encouraging the
shoots to push above the soil before the advent of cold weather. In all
cases a mulch should be spread over the soil during hot, dry weather.

So far as the requirements of the lilies are understood, correct con-
ditions would not be supplied by repeated cultivation between the
rows. Those conditions could be secured best by a system of mulching

16 PKOPAGATIOltf OF EASTEK LILY FROM SEED.

to keep the sun from warming the soil too much near the surface or
else by the substitution of some kind of a shade crop to protect the
soil from the sun's rays. This crop would, of course, have to be of
such a nature as not to rob the soil of too much of the food and mois-
ture necessary for the growth of the lilies.

Again, the bulbs may be grown in beds, as in the Bermudas, and
close enough together to shade the ground to a certain extent. In any
event, the cool and fairly moist condition of the surface soil is a most
essential point to be observed in the cultivation of the lily. In plant-
ing, the depth to which the bulbs should be placed should range from
tt to 6 inches, according to the size of 1 -year-old bulbs.

In this, as in every other crop, there are so man}" details essential
to successful cultivation, all differing with the localities, that the above
directions must be construed merely as suggestions. Lily farming in
the United States is so new that one must not be discouraged if at first
failure results from treatment which applied to most other crops
would mean success.

REPRODUCTION FROM SEED.

A point greatly in favor of raising L. longiflorum, L. harrisii, or
any of the other forms from seed, to constitute the crop of market-
able bulbs, is that from one to two years' time is saved in the opera-
tion over the scale method. This in itself will appeal to most people;
but it is by no means the best feature of the method, as will be shown
later on.

Plate V, fig. 2, shows bulbs which measured 6 inches in circum-
ference at a period only ten months after the seeds germinated.
These bulbs each produced three flowers above the average size. Much
poorer plants are sometimes retailed at $1 each. So easy is it to raise
flowering plants from seed that the writer is inclined to believe that
should the time come when the disease is more rampant than at
present, growers will, when the subject is better understood, be able
to raise their own bulbs by a system of greenhouse treatment and have
the plants from seed flowering in pots ready to be sold within a year.

This would probably seem like a fairy tale to the participants of the
lily conference held in London in 1901. One of the papers read at
that time states that many species of Lilium must have from ten to
twelve years to develop a flowering bulb from the seed. Elwes, in
his Monograph of the Genus Lilium, sa3rs of L. Umgiflorum: " In
three or four years at most flowering bulbs will be produced from
seed if the young plants are properly treated." This means that by
the English method of raising seedlings the plants in flower take five
years at most to reach that stage.

REPRODUCTION FROM SEED. 17

There exists a widespread belief that in raising plants from seed a
long time elapses before they come into bloom, and it is urged against
the seed method that a certain percentage of the plants in a batch are
late in coming into flower. It should be remembered, however, that
this is more or less the case with all kinds of plants where the method
of vegetative reproduction is suddenly changed to that of reproduction
from seed. In all cases this irregularity of the blooming period lasts
onl}7 for a time.

There is a possibility of fixing types in seedling lilies as in all other
plants raised from seed, but just how long a time would elapse before
this desired result would be attained has not been determined. A few
generations would probably cover the period.

But even were there no possibilities of fixing types from seminal
reproduction, the supposition that, this method of propagation is a
drawback because of late bloomers is very erroneous. This point has
been raised against the method chiefly because it has never been tried
systematically. A batch has been raised giving only about 75 per
cent of bulbs that can be depended upon to produce plants that will
open their flowers within, sa}7, a period of ten days; but even so, with
the gain of increased vigor and the saving of time required in the
production of a marketable bulb, it will pay handsomely, even if the
late bloomers are discarded while in the growing stage in the field and
only the early blooming bulbs are harvested. However, there is no
necessity for so radical a treatment. The early bloomers can be sepa-
rated from those which bloom late, and sold accordingly. There is a
demand for healthy bulbs at whatever time the}^ bloom. Furthermore,
by judicious selection of seed parents — that is, those which come ear-
liest into bloom, having other desirable characteristics to recommend
them — and by careful cross-fertilization of these forms there is an
absolute certainty of fixing types which will be satisfactory in every
respect.

Nearly every lily has been propagated asexual ly up to the present
time, and the system is, to a certain extent, answerable for the wretched
condition of the crops, which, even with intelligent care in our green-
'houses, show from 40 to 60 per cent of diseased plants. Most growers
would greatly prefer to have only 25 per cent of late bloomers in a
batch of healthy bulbs from seed than that the present conditions
affecting the Bermuda and Japan bulbs should continue.

25973— No. 39—03 2

18 PROPAGATION OF EASTER LILY FROM SEED.

EMASCULATING AND POLLINATING THE FLOWERS.

To raise seedlings of any desirable variety of Lilium longiflorwm
which will reproduce as nearly as possible the same characters pos-'
sessed by the parents, it is necessary to take precautions against the
possibility of pollen from less desirable forms being deposited upon
the stigmas of the flowers selected to bear seed. In the flower of the
Easter lily the anthers reach maturity a little in advance of the period
when the stigma is in a receptive condition. The early ripening of
the pollen and the large size of the anthers make it easy to remove the
stamens at quite an early stage in the life of the flower.

Emasculation can be performed with a certain degree of safety after
the perianth segments expand, but it is accomplished with greater
certainty while the flower is in the bud stage. When the operation is
performed early it seems to divert to the pistil the substance which
otherwise would be utilized in the development of the stamens. Thus,
if the stamens are allowed to remain and pollinate the same flower
with its own pollen, or that from the flower of another individual, the
resulting capsule of seed is smaller than that borne by an artificially
pollinated flower which had previously been emasculated. To remove
the stamens at an early stage it is necessary to ?ut ofi' one or two
divisions of the perianth for at least one-third of their length. The
stamens, being very large, are then easily removed with the aid of a
pair of forceps. The condition of the stigma most favorable for the
reception of the pollen is indicated by its having acquired full size and
by its color changing from a greenish white to creamy white. This
period occurs just before the surface of the stigma is copiously cov-
ered with a viscid secretion. Before the secretion appears the pollen
takes immediate effect. Fecundation, when successful, is indicated
by the rapid withering of the perianth; also by the ovary, which, in a
few days, will assume a vertical position instead of remaining hori-
zontal. (PL II. figs. 1 and 2.) In this position it will continue, in the
absence of fertilization, until -it falls off or withers.

It is of importance that the actual work of applying pollen from the
anthers of one flower to the stigma of another be performed during
the early part of the day. choosing a time when the sun is likely to be
unobscured for several hours. The air should also be dry and warm.
It is not necessary to use a brush in transferring the pollen. With a
pair of forceps an anther may be removed by severing a filament at
about half an inch below the point of attachment. The pollen grains
on a single anther are sufficient to cover thoroughly the surface
of the stigma. While held by the forceps the anther should be
rubbed against the stigma until the latter is covered with the pollen
srrains. This condition is easilv observed by the bright vellow color

SOWING THE SEEDS. 19

and copious supply of pollen. The pollinated flower should not be
covered with paper bags. These, as a rule, serve well with other
kinds of flowers where artificial pollination is resorted to in keeping-
out insects and preventing pollen being brought by other agencies,
but in the flowers of Lilium they are usually hurtful, because the
atmosphere surrounding the stigma is to a certain extent stagnant on
account of the thick texture of the paper interfering with the free
admission of air. If this condition is present while the very copious
secretion is over the large stigma, some of the pollen grains deca}r,
and the result is that a moldy growth will occur over the entire pol-
linated surface. Light gauze or cheese-cloth bags will be found excel-
lent substitutes for paper bags. There is little probability of pollen
grains being carried about by a movement of the atmosphere or the
visitations of insects, but it is better to guard against the danger of
undesirable pollen gaining access to the stigma.

In all of the varieties the seed vessels take from eight to ten weeks
to reach maturit}^. This is indicated by a change of color from pea-
green to a light straw-colored hue, at first near the apex, then grad-
ually extending toward the base. When the basal part changes its
color the seeds are ripe. The seed vessel at this stage begins to
dehisce, starting at the apex and splitting into three parts, each part
containing two rows of seed closely arranged lengthwise. When the
vessels begin to open they should be gathered and kept in an uncov-
ered receptacle until most of the moisture in the walls of the seed ves-
sel has evaporated. In a day or two the seeds must be removed from
the capsules. They are then damp to the touch and should not be
excluded from the air while in this state, as there is danger of their
becoming moldy. They should be spread out on trays for a day or so
to dry. Afterwards they can be kept in jars until wanted for sowing.

SOWING THE SEEDS.

In places having a similar winter climate toy that of the Bermudas,
or where the minimum temperature does not fall below 45° F., the
seedlings may be raised out of doors without the aid of greenhouse
structures but with the protection of sash throughout the germinating
period and until the plants have made the first three or four leaves.

The plants can be brought to this stage by the beginning of Septem-
ber and transferred to convenient distances apart in beds, where they
will make rapid growth. The seeds should be sown in beds in rows
from 5 to 6 feet wide. To have the soil in which the seed is to be
sown of sufficient warmth to promote a steady growth, there should
be at least 3 inches of stable litter and leaves placed in the bottom ol'
the bed. Loamy soil, mixed with one-third vegetable humus, should

2-0 PROPAGATION OF EASTER LILY FROM SEED.

be placed over the litter to a depth of at least 6 inches. This should
be well firmed and raked smooth. The seed should be sown quite
thickly, as the seedlings have small, narrow leaves and occupy but
little space until they are ready for pricking off. After the surface
of the seed bed has been raked quite smooth the seeds should be sown
evenly over the bed. from 6 to 10 to each square inch of surface,
according to the quality of the seed. The seeds can be pressed into
the soil with the back part of a spade or a smooth piece of board and
covered with one-half inch of sifted and sterilized soil composed of
loam and leaf soil in equal parts. The soil, if sterilized, will prevent
the disturbance of the surface in removing weeds. The surface
should be pressed moderately firm and watered with a fine sprinkler
only when the soil appears to be on the dry side. The surface of
the bed can be kept in excellent condition for successful germination
by covering it with an inch of sphagnum moss, which should lie
sprinkled occasionally, and the soil should be examined frequently to
ascertain its condition.

The seeds require a considerable time in the ground before the first
leaf appears above the surface. Therefore, to provide seedling plants
for a large crop the seed beds will occupy a comparatively small
space. They will thus be easily tended, so far as watering, shading,
and weeding are concerned, until the seedlings have attained sufficient
size to warrant pricking off. If bulbs are planted and s'eeds sown
at the same time, the bulbs naturally can be flowered quicker than the
seedlings, but only by a few weeks. Therefore, the seeds should be
sown early — say. during the month of June. When sown at this period
the seedlino-s will attain a fair size during warm weather, and will all
the better be able to withstand the lower temperature of the winter
months.

With regard to raising seedlings in the Middle and Northern States,
there is little probability of success unless the seed is sown. say. during
the month of January indoors and the seedlings are transplanted to
outdoor beds as soon as the weather permits. For experiments of this
nature the seeds would necessarily have to be of the previous season's
crop, and in order to have them ripen late, so that as short a time as
possible would elapse between ripening and sowing, the seed-bearing
plants should be grown outdoors.

PRICKING OFF THE SEEDLINGS.

The seedlings will bear pricking off as soon as the seed leaves reach
full size. Nothing is gained, however, by undertaking the operation
at this early stage. It is more easily accomplished after the plantlets
have made two or three leaves. Thev should be transferred to beds

PKICKLNG OFF THE SEEDLINGS. 21

similar in size to those in which the seeds were sown and at a distance
of from 2 to 3 inches apart. The work of pricking off can be very
rapidly done, and wholly with the fingers or without the aid of a
dibble. The protection of shaded sash may be given for the first few
da}Ts if found necessaiy. When the plants are supplied with leaves of
such size as to be in danger of crowding each other they should be
removed to the field beds. It may be stated that the plants', even in
their younger stages, are not at all impatient of removal. Plate V,
fig. 1, shows a plant which was grown in a 5-inch pot, the soil being
removed from the roots to show the size of bulb at a certain date
from germinating. This bulb was repotted and came into flower
seemingly none the worse for its experience.

PLATES.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES.

Plate I. Frontispiece. — Seedling lilies in bloom. A. — Lilium longiflorum X L. har-
risii. B. — Lilium harrisii X L. longiflorum, showing large flower. Photo-
graphed April 16, 1902, six months and thirteen days after germinating.
II. Fig. 1. — Lilium longiflorum, tall-growing variety from Japan, showing the
vertical position assumed by the ovaries after fertilization. Fig. 2. —
Lilium longiflorum, low-growing variety from Japan, with long, broad
leaves. The capsules show the progress made at a period of three weeks
after pollination. Fig. 3. — Lilium longiflorum, tall-growing variety from
Japan, with long and broad leaves along the entire length of the stem.

III. Capsules and seeds of Lilium harrisii X L. longiflorum. Flowers polli-

nated April 3; seeds ripe June 14, 1901.

IV. Fig. 1. — Lilium harrisii X L. longiflorum seedlings in 2-inch pots. Seeds

sown June 26, 1901, germinated October 3, potted October 28, pho-
tographed November 9, 1901. Fig. 2. — Lilium harrisii X L. longiflorum
seedlings in 2J-inch pots ten weeks after germination.
V. Fig. 1. — Lilium harrisii X L. longiflorum, showing size of bulb February 16,
1902, eighteen weeks after germination. Fig. 2. — Seedling bulbs of L.
harrisii X L. longiflorum. The bulb to the right measured 6 inches in
circumference. These bulbs were grown from the seed within ten
months.
VI. Diseased Bermuda lily bulbs. A. — Cross section through a diseased bulb
that began to grow and then died. The tissue was eaten out by the
bulb mites. B. — Cross section through a bulb that failed to grow.
The bud was eaten out by mites.
VII. Germination of Lilium longiflorum. 1. Sprouting of the seed. 2. An older
stage, where the cotyledon shows the bending, while the apex remains
closed in the seed absorbing the endosperm. 3. Still older. 4. The
cotyledon has now unfolded itself, raising the attached seed high above
the level of the ground. 5. The first leaf V is developed while the
cotyledon is as above. 6. The seed has dropped and three leaves are
now developed; also two secondary roots. The roots show wrinklings
above, indicating their contractile power in drawing the bulblet deeper
and deeper into the soil.
24

o

Bui. 39, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Plate II.

Fig. l.

Fig. 3.

LlLIUM LONGIFLORUM.
Figs. 1 and 3, Tall-growing variety from Japan; Fig. 2, Low-growing variety from Japan.

Bui. 39, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Plate III,

Bui. 39, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Plate IV,

j-"^

n Hi

_m

( /

%

%*

^

v

SBP|^

Fig. 1.— Lilium harrisii ■ L. longiflorum Seedlings in 2-inch Pots, Five Weeks

After Germination.

Fig. 2.— Lilium harrisii ■ L. longiflorum Seedlings in 2^-inch Pots, Ten Weeks

After Germination.

j|. 39, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Plate V.

^Sg^Vl

Kpifl

■If '4'f%v3l!^H

II1N8

I^W^ll

pfl

__

Fig. 1 .— Lilium harrisii L. longiflorum, Showing
Bulb Eighteen Weeks After Germination.

Fig. 2.— Seedling Bulbs of Lilium harrisii • L. longiflorum, Grown from Seed
Within Ten Months.

Bui. 39, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Plate VI.

Diseased Bermuda Lily Bulbs.

A, Cross section of bulb that began to grow though the tissue was eaten by mites: B, Cross section
of bulb, with bud eaten by mites, that failed to grow.

Bui. 39, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Plate VII

Germination of Lilium longiflorum.