808 BRIEF REMARKS. 
every flower garden. In my next paper, for January, I shall give a 
descriptive list of all the showy spring flowering perennials. I would 
just add, however, do not omit to plant some of the charming Gladiolus, 
and bulbous Iris. 
BRIEF REMARKS, 
Victoria Reaia.—This celebrated noble Water Lily has bloomed 
for the first time in this country at Chatsworth Gardens, on November 
8th. The flower and a leaf were presented before Her Majesty and 
Prince Albert at Windsor. Another flower expanded on the 17th of 
November, 
For general remarks on the history of the plant we refer our readers 
to the Number of this Magazine for January, 1847, where a flower of 
it is figured. 
The plant which has bloomed at Chatsworth was obtained from the 
Royal Gardens of Kew last August, and by very skilful treatment has 
thus early been brought into bloom. The manner of its treatment at 
Chatsworth is thus given in the Gardeners’ Chronicle. 
** Ina hothouse of sufficient dimensions, a tank was constructed 3 
feet deep and 12 feet square, warmed by hot water circulating beneath. 
To this was added a ledge all round, 9 inches deep, 33 feet wide, and 
heated by a triple row of small lead pipes, through which hot water 
circulated. By these means the tank was rendered 19 feet square, 
with a deep centre and shallow sides. 
‘Tn order to keep the water in motion, asmall wheel was added at 
one corner ; over that wheel water was caused to drop continually with 
force enough to keep the wheel constantly revolving ; the water thus 
continually flowing into the tank was carried off by a small pipe in one 
of its corners near the bottom. In this way were secured the important 
advantages of the water being so often changed that it could not be- 
come stagnant, together with the ceaseless gentle agitation. Nothing 
could be more like the natural state of a tranquil river. By the heat- 
ing apparatus its temperature could also be regulated with facility. 
The thermometer has generally indicated 85°. 
“In the centre of the tank was introduced a hillock of earth, consist- 
ing of burnt loam and peat. Tothe burning of the loam Mr. Paxton 
attaches great importance; and this agrees with the daily experience 
of those who employ burnt or charred materials in gardening. The 
physical condition of soil is much improved by the process, and the 
weeds and insects are destroyed. Mr. Paxton is also of opinion that 
the removal by fire of all matters ready to enter into fermentation or 
rapid decomposition, when in contact with water heated to 85°, was in 
itself no inconsiderable cause of the success of his experiment; in 
addition to which it preserved the water perfectly translucent. 
** On the hillock thus prepared, the Victoria Lily was planted on the 
10th of August; and on the 1st of November the first ower bud ap- 
peared. 
‘‘ The largest leaf yet produced is nearly 5 feet in diameter; the 
