THE 



FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 



MARCH 1st, 1837. 



PART I. 

 ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



ARTICLE I.— ON TENDER AQUATICS. 



BY C. B. B. 



The enquiry of your Liverpool correspondent under the signature of 

 Escholtzia, respecting plants which would grow in a tank of tepid 

 water, (such as is frequently attached to steam engines,) induces me 

 to trouble you with the following observations ; which I hope may 

 meet the eye of some lover of flowers at Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, 

 Liverpool, or Manchester, and induce him to make an experiment, 

 which I think can hardly fail of success. Every one at all acquainted 

 with stove plants, is aware of the exceeding beauty and magnificence, 

 of the tropical water plants, even when confined to the narrow pots 

 and pans, and cisterns, to which the limits of our hothouses generally 

 restrict tham. Now it is most probable that these plants would flourish 

 with even more than native luxuriance, in the warm water tanks 

 attached to steam engines. They delight in extreme heat, and will 

 bear any temperature short of 100 degrees ; about 85° to 95° during 

 summer suits them best, and in winter from 60° to 65° ; and some 

 species will not flourish, without a continual change of water, which 

 it is almost impossible to provide in a common hothouse or pit ; but, 

 which, might always be ensured by constructing a large tank, and 

 allowing the hot waste water from a steam engine to flow into it. In 

 case any of your readers should be willing to try the experiment, and 

 it is indeed one well worth trying, (for the magnificent plants in queV J t- 

 tion are rarely seen in any tolerable beauty in this country,) I' aijt^ } 'j • 

 the following suggestions : — 



The tank should be in a situation to receive plenty of sun, and should 

 be covered with cucumber lights, to prevent the blacks from the 

 engine, and the inclemency of weatlier, from injuring the buds and 

 leaves, as the flowers of several species arise above the water, and 

 would never endure the air of our climate even in summer. The plants 

 should be planted in very large pans, 1 foot deep and 18 inches across 



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