editor's table. 



to, boat tlio water in the insitle by the hot water circulating through them. To equalize the 

 heat in the tank, the flow of two of these pipes is led round the tank to the ritrlit, and tliat 

 of tlie other two to the left. Tlio soil occupies about two feet of the tank's depth, into wliicb 

 the lily is jjlauted, tlie remainder beinp filled with water, wliicb is broucbt into the tank 

 over a ]>lanisbed copper wheel with floats, by iiropelling which a current is produced that 

 keeps the surface of the water clean and pure. On the riglit of the Lily House, as we enter 

 it, is a rectangular tank of tho entire length of the house, heated to the same temperature 

 as tho Lily tank in the centre, by a small pipe led through it from the larger ones beneath. 

 This is kept for tho Nehtmbium speciosum, the famous " Lotus" of tho ancients ; Ai/rujihira 

 ceruhe and N. rubra, the red and white water lilies of China, and other aquatics. This tank 

 serves also as a nursery for gold and silver flsh, which are reared hero in great abundance. 



The main plant of the Victoria occupies the centre of tho tank. Around it are a number 

 of small ones in boxes, intended by the proprietor for gratuitous distribution amongst those 

 disposed to try the cultivation of the plant in other parts of the country. The writer feels 

 a certain degree of sadness in learning that the old plant of the Victoria, which had con- 

 tributed to the enjoyment of thousands, as well as received, in by-gone times, so large a 

 share of his own attention and care, has been discarded for one of its own offspring — a 

 "true American." 



A fine collection of exotic ferns, for which the moisture, partial shade, and temperature 

 of the house, are so well adapted, lines one of its sides. One end is covered with air i)lants, 

 growing on blocks of wood, and the other by that unrivalled creeper, the Cissus discolor, the 

 beautiful velvety variegation of the leaves of which will probably never be surpassed. Two 

 varieties of pitcher plants, and an extraordinary specimen of the very scarce and beautiful 

 East Indian plant, Brownea grandiceps, are also inhabitants of this department. On the 

 south side of the house, the light is admitted through stained glass of various colors, pro- 

 ducing a highly pleasing effect on the foliage of the ferns, and other desirable plants, within 

 its reach. The Lily House being separated from the Cactus House only by a nine-inch wall, 

 the two are heated somewhat in connection with each other. Two boilers are employed. 

 The one specially intended for the former, is in no way connected with the latter, except 

 that the hot water intended for the wheel (to which a stream of cold water is also led) is 

 heated by a circulation passing through a leaden pipe to a reservoir from which both boilers 

 are filled at tho extremity of the Cactus House. The boiler of the Cactus House is larger 

 than the other ; and besides the pipes which it heats around " its own" house, has a branch 

 diverging on the other side, and, passing round the Lily House, supplies the latter with 

 additional heat in severe weather. 



Returning from the Lily House, we pass down on another side of the Cactus House, the 

 rafters of which are clothed with Bignonia vcnusta, adorned with festoons of flowers, Bignonia 

 picta, Passiflora data, ^-c. , in luxuriant health. 



No. 6. Orange-IIouse — 38 feet in length and 14 in width. This house, besides containing 

 a collection of trees such as its name implies, and immense specimens of American Aloe, or 

 Century Plant, India Rubber, Camphor Tree, Finger Lemon, Forbidden Fruit, different kinds 

 of teas and other plants merely requiring protection from frost in the winter season, contains 

 also the main reservoir from whence all the houses are supplied with water. It is lined 

 with lead, and contains about 2,000 gallons. The water is forced up by two of Douglas' 

 largest (No. 6) rams, from springs rising on the farm, 1,500 feet distant. One of these 

 supplies the Mansion-House in the summer season, the excess flowing over from a higher 

 reservoir being led into this. Adjoining this house, and running x>arallel with it, is 



No. 7. The Orchid-IIouse — 38 feet in length and 10 feet in width. This house is heated 

 by hot water, partly with four-inch pipes, and partly on the " tank system," and by the 

 same boiler used for the last house. A brick pit is constructed inside, which, near its top, 

 supports a divided iron tank, open above, and through which water flows when heated, and 

 returns again to the boiler. This is covered over by tarred oak slats, sustaining a bed of 

 gravel upon which plants requiring moist bottom heat are placed. From apertures in the 

 side of the brick pits, steam is made to permeate the house, when, and as desired. There 

 is probably no 'house on tho premises more interesting than this one. A house properly 



