Many pleasing associations are connected with the Lily; and it has long since been adopted as an emblem of purity. The Rose has been called the queen of flowers; but the Lily, since the introduction of the splendid Japan varieties and others, may fairly claim to be its rival. The whole tribe of Lilies are beautiful flowers, while many of them are truly magnificent, combining elegance of form, richness and variety of color, and delicious fragrance. They are generally of easy culture, mostly hardy, and flourish well in almost every variety of soil and climate.

Among the many fine species which have been introduced of late years, none has given more general satisfaction than the Japan Lilies - Lilium lancifolium. They are perfectly hardy, and succeed well everywhere; strong bulbs bloom in profusion, throwing up their flowering stems to the height of 3 or 4 feet, and producing from six to twenty flowers, according to the size and strength of the bulbs. The flowers internally are covered with a beautiful frost-like surface, standing out like crystals, and richly marked and tinted with rose and crimson spots; excelling in beauty any description that can be given. In addition to their great beauty, they are exceedingly fragrant. They bloom in August and September; and their hardiness, easy culture, and elegance, commend them to all admirers of beautiful flowers.

All the varieties of the Japan Lilies are perfectly adapted to culture in pots. For this purpose, pot them in a mixture of light turfy loam and leaf mould.

The Lilium auratum, or Golden-rayed Lily, is also from Japan. This is a most superb Lily, and has been called the King of Lilies. The flowers are very large, 10 or 12 inches in diameter, pure white, studded with crimson spots, with a ray or or band of golden yellow running lengthwise through the middle of each petal. It is also very fragrant. Strong, well-established bulbs will produce a dozen or more of these magnificent flowers. It is perfectly hardy in the open ground; and also grows and blooms finely in pots.

Lilium Brownii is a noble, hardy Lily, with very large, trumpet-shaped flowers, pure white inside, with a purple tinge on the outside, and quite fragrant. A splendid Lily; but as yet quite scarce and expensive.

All the varieties of Lilium fulgens are very hardy, and of strong, upright growth, blooming in large heads or panicles of flowers, varying in color from bright orange to deep orange-crimson shades, and are remarkably attractive and highly ornamental.

Lilium longiflorum is a most beautiful pure white Lily; also fragrant, and exceedingly fine for planting in masses, growing about 18 inches high; hardy, and bloom freely. They are very cheap in price, and no garden should be without them. They are sure to give satisfaction.

The Old White Lily is a universal favorite, and needs no description.

Plant the bulbs about 5 inches deep. When required to be removed, take them up as soon as the tops fade, and plant again in fresh ground as soon as possible.

A layer of 6 inches of well-rotted cow manure, placed 5 or 6 inches below the bulbs, is the best fertilizer I have tried for lilies. - C. M. Hovey.