74 THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Aquatic Plants— continued. 
great portion of the tank (Figs. 71 and 72); there- 
fore, it will be best to treat upon their culture 
first. From their habit of growth it is necessary that 
they should occupy the central part of the tank, the 
tubs or pots when in position being about 5ft. apart, and 
arranged alternately, so as to utilise all available surface 
space for the foliage. For Nymphwas to display their 
greatest beauty, in respect of both size and colour of their 
flowers, when under artificial treatment, they must have a 
good rich compost; and, unless this is afforded them, 
it is only courting disappointment to attempt their 
cultivation. 
A compost should be prepared consisting of good, rich, 
heavy loam, containing an admixture of clay, and to this 
Aquatic Plants—continued. 
When filling the tubs and planting, the soil should be 
pressed firmly down and around the plants or tubers to 
within 3in. of the top, which should be surfaced with 
about lin. of sand to prevent (as far as possible) the 
manure in the soil from rising and discolouring the 
water. If the tubs or pots are too full, the action of the 
water causes the soil to swell and run over the sides; 
allowances must, therefore, be made for this. When 
the water in the tank is at its normal height, a depth 
of from 10in. to 12in. above the crown of the plants will be 
found sufficient. 
As tropical Nymphzas may be definitely classed in two 
divisions—namely, those displaying their flowers by day, 
and others that do so by night—the best effect will be 
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Fic. 71, View OF LiLy TANK IN THE OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN 
should be added a good proportion of well-decomposed cow- 
or stable-manure as well as a small quantity of leaf-soil, but 
the last-named is not absolutely necessary. If it is con- 
venient to procure the loam from an old pasture, the 
top spit should be selected, and this should be stacked 
for about twelve months; it will then be in excel- 
lent condition. When preparing the compost the 
loam should be chopped up fairly coarse, and to every 
three parts of this should be added one part of 
cow- or horse-manure—the former for preference. This, 
when well incorporated, will form a compost of a tenacious 
nature, suited to the wants of the plants. The soil should 
be placed in the house for a few days previous to its being 
required, so that it may get moderately warmed. 
’ 
© 
secured if they are planted alternately, so as to have them 
equally distributed over the tank, with due regard to the 
arrangement of their colours. The Lotus and the stellata 
sections form two distinct groups of Water Lilies, the 
former embracing colours ranging from white to deep red, 
and the latter from pale to deep blue. As soon as the 
boxes are planted, the tank should be filled with water. By 
turning the heat fully on in the hot-water pipes, the water 
will be warmed as it gradually rises. This will not in any 
way interfere with the planting at the sides, as the plants 
situated there, excepting the floating ones, will be in beds 
or in pots resting on shelves or brick columns, provided for 
those which require only a shallow depth of water above 
the surface of the soil. Tall and vigorous-growing 
