FLOWERING OF THE VICTORIA REGIA. 



hit upon the right method of cultivating the plant; and that both flowers and leaves are 

 equal to any found either in a native or foreign state, in any part of the world. Although 

 all this has been accomplished at a great expense of money and personal exertion, I do not 

 regret what I have done. I think I never have been so richly repaid in a similar effort. 

 Even Mr. Longworth, who regards so much of what is new in his favorite path, as 

 humbug, says, in a letter which I received from him to day, that " there is but one plant 

 in the world — the Victoria." He adds, however, that he will present me with a fresh- 

 milk cow, if he fails to grow the lily without heat. By this he means that he can grow 

 it in his pond. Our plant is also grown without fire heat. We have had no fire since the 

 21st June. The plant in the kitchen garden, which has had fire heat at no time, is very 

 beautiful, and would bloom, I think, if it had been planted a month earlier. As it is, I 

 am not without hope that it will yet give us a flower. The leaves are within three inches 

 as large as the largest leaf spoken of by Bridges. Next season, if I live, I will show you 

 a flower on the same spot, since you invite the effort. 



The flower last evening was more gorgeous than any of its predecessors. As its con- 

 version was going on, in its second stage, it seemed that the pink or red hue greatly pre- 

 ponderated over the white. I cut the flower, placed it on a thin circular board, a foot in 

 diameter, which it completely covered, and sent it to a wedding party. I am in hopes that 

 one of the buds, now visible, will bloom in season for our annual exhibition, which is to 

 be held next week. I shall send two of the leaves — one of them to be placed under side 

 up, so that the beauty of its architectural structure can be seen. 



The Victoria is one of the few things that has not been exaggerated ; nor is it possible 

 to exaggerate it. It is truly a wonderful plant. Yours very truly, C. Cope. 



Springbrook, near Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1851. 



A. J. Downing, Esq — Sir: As the experiment of cultivating the Victoria Regia at this 

 place has resulted successfully, T propose giving a brief history of the attempt, not doubt- 

 ing that it will prove interesting to the numerous readers of the Horticulturist. 



On the 21st day of March last, a letter containing twelve seeds of the Victoria Regia 

 was received by Mr. Cope, from Sir "\Vm. J. Hooker, Director of the Royal Gardens at 

 Kew. Four of these were planted in small seed pans, in loam and sand, and placed in a 

 tank of water in the forcing house. This tank, which was five feet by six in diameter, 

 was heated to the temperature of 85° to 95°, by a circulation of hot-water, produced by 

 a copper box being placed upon the furnace, and an inch lead pipe, passing from it twice 

 round the inside of the tank. A coil of half inch pipe, of about fifty feet in length, was 

 also placed over the furnace, in order that the water might be tempered, which was destin- 

 ed to supply the tank. From this pipe the water dropped on a small tin Avheel, which 

 agitated the water in the tank, and dissipated the vegetable mucus or slimy matter which 

 accumulated around the borders of it, and sometimes upon the edge of the leaves of the 

 Victoria, after it commenced growing. 



Three of the seeds germinated as follows: The first on the 10th of April; the second on 

 the 14th of April, and the third on the 22d of May. The fourth seed failed to grow. 

 The first growth of the lily was in form of a spear, not unlike a young shoot of grass, and 

 attained in length about an inch and a half. On the 17th a second leaf appeared, of a form 

 similar to that of the Calla ethiopica, being long and tapering, from a broad blade. 

 On the 21st a third leaf appeared of like form. 



25th, the fourth leaf reached the surfiice, and was in the shape of an ellipsis 

 however, being separated, till near the point where the petiole and leaf were uni 



