THE FLORIST. 207 



to walk in the calm stillness of a summer's evening. But I have no 

 water-plants. What kinds should I procure, — Water-Lilies ? Yes. 

 No hardy aquatics are so beautiful. Their white and yellow flowers 

 and deep green leaves floating on the surface are charming additions 

 to a piece of water. Speaking of Water-Lilies reminds me of that 

 queen of aquatics, Victoria regia. I saw it at Kew the other day, 

 with leaves 18 inches across. Have you heard of this vegetable 

 wonder ? It was discovered by Sir R. Schomburgk in a currentless 

 basin of the Berbice River in British Guiana. It is stated to have 

 a gigantic leaf from 5 to 6 feet in diameter, salver-shaped, with a 

 broad rim, of a light green above and a vivid crimson below, resting 

 upon the water. Quite in character with the wonderful leaf is the 

 luxuriant flower, consisting of many hundred petals, passing in alter- 

 nate tints from pure white to rose and pink. The smooth water 

 where it was found is said to have been covered with its blossoms. 

 The stalk of the flower is an inch thick near the calyx, and is 

 covered with prickles, as are also the leaf-stems. The blossoms are 

 said to be very large and sweet-scented. It need hardly be stated 

 that it is named Victoria regia in honour of the Queen. 



But beautiful as it is, we have none of the sweet associations 

 of home connected with it which we have with our own indigenous 

 kinds. Long may they flourish the ornament of our woodland ponds, 

 and of our rustic children's nosegay of wild flowers ! 



SCHOOL-GARDENS. 



In the immediate neighbourhood of Nottingham are an immense 

 number of small gardens, occupied and cultivated by all grades of 

 society ; and, with a most laudable and praiseworthy feeling, the 

 friends connected with the High-pavement Chapel Boys' Sunday 

 School have purchased two of these enclosures, in each of which is a 

 commodious summer-house. One of these gardens is cultivated by 

 the elder boys, the other by the juniors. Each garden is subdivided 

 into smaller allotments, which are assigned to their respective tenants, 

 boys from ten to fourteen years old, who cultivate and crop them ac- 

 cording to their own fancy, a small portion of each being devoted to 

 flowers. The diligence and ability displayed by these youthful gar- 

 deners is really astonishing. We have inspected their crops during 

 several past summers, and with truth can say we were highly de- 

 lighted with them. The onions, lettuce, celery, carrots, potatoes, 

 &c. were excellent, and would vie with the productions of older and 

 more experienced cultivators. Prize gooseberries are also grown ; 

 and this year the crops of London, Companion, Gunner, Eagle, &c, 

 were amongst the best we have ever seen, either at Nottingham or 

 elsewhere ; in fact, these boys always endeavour to obtain, either 

 of seeds or plants, the best varieties possible. In connexion with 

 these gardens, and to excite emulation, a vegetable and flower show 

 is instituted. This is held in the school-rooms, at Nottingham, and 



