224 CTJl.TIVATION OF TTIK VICTORIA WATER LILY. 



XVIII, — A short Accoioit of the Cultivation of the Victoria 

 Water Lihj in an open heated pond. By J. Weeks, F.II.8., 

 King's Road, Chelsea. 



(Communicated June 12, 1851.) 



A CIRCULAR pond, 21 feet in diameter and 3^^ feet deep, was 

 constructed for this queen of aquatics after the following- 

 manner : — When the earth was thrown out to the required depth 

 and width, the bottom and sides were coated vvitfi well prepared 

 clay to the thickness of 2 feet, in order to make the whole v.ater- 

 tight ; over tliat a layer of loose bricks was placed for the purpose 

 of keeping the water clear, and giving the pond a neat appear- 

 ance. Since then it has been encircled by rockwork, which pro- 

 tects it from cold draughts. The water in the pond is iieated by 

 pipes connected with a boiler, which also heats a range of houses. 

 The length of piping in the pond is 84 feet ; the flow pipe is 3 

 inches in the bore, and the return pipe 2 inches. With this 

 quantity of piping the temperature can be kept at fiom 7o to 

 90 \ but the regular warmtli is about 76'. The plant is placed 

 in the pond in the centre of tlie piping in an oval pit or tub, 

 8 feet by 6 feet, built with loose bricks for the purpose of 

 allowing the heated water to permeate the compost, which con- 

 sists of loam, turfy peat, and river sand. A constant stream of 

 clear cold water flows into the pond, the supply to which is 

 regulated by a stop-cock. There is also a waste pipe which can 

 be elevated or depressed according to the quantity of water 

 required in the pond. In this way the plant has always plenty 

 of good y'/'ei/i water to grow in. A temporary frame is provided 

 for placing over the plant, but this is removed at all times when 

 the weather is fivourable, and the plant is then fully exposed, 

 which is the case almost every day in summer. The Victoria 

 was placed in the jjond on the 3rd of March, on a very cold, wet 

 day, from the efl'ects of which it did not however suffer in the 

 least, and it has succeeded well ever since, increasing daily in size 

 and strength, and throwing out roots in all directions, many of 

 w hich come to tiie surface of the water. Flowering commenced 

 on the 16th of May, and blossoms still continue to be produced. 

 A worse season than the present could, however, scarcely have 

 been selected for trying the experiment, which has hitherto been 

 perfectly successful. The trial may be said to have proved that 

 those who possess a range of houses, or even a single house 

 heated by a boiler, can enjoy the beauties of this truly regal plant, 

 together with those of other tender water lilies and stove 

 aquatics, at a trifling expense. 



