14 "WATEIt-LILIES. 



perusal on the White-flowered Water-Lily of our own country, brought 

 to my recollection that I have seen two kinds of the White-flowering in 

 bloom. The common one I have often seen and admired ; but there is a 

 much superior blooming kind growing in the grounds of one of the royal 

 palaces. It is a much more noble plant, and the flowers are at least 

 half as large again as those of the common kind. I was very much 

 struck with its beauty ; and it occurred to me, that if its flowers were 

 impregnated by those of the Royal Victoria Lily (Victoria Reginae), 

 a vast improvement would very likely be effected in the size of the 

 flowers of the progeny which might be raised by this hybridization : at 

 all events, I intend to make the experiment the next season. I also 

 purpose, on the other hand, to impregnate the flowers of the Royal 

 Water-Lily by those of the common Yclloiu-Rowered Water-Lily, with 

 a hope that a yellow flower may be obtained the size of the present 

 noble blossom of Victoria Reginas. 



I further intend to impregnate the common Yellow-flowered with 

 the pollen of the V. Reginse, hoping to obtain a larger flower of this 

 hardy one. 



These attempts I am persuaded will be, to me at least, very inter- 

 esting, and I fully anticipate successful results. I beg, however, the 

 co-operation of others, that by more extended attempts to obtain flowers 

 of our long-possessed Water-Lilies, both in doors and out doors, of 

 a much larger size may be obtained, as well as superb varieties be 

 raised from the impregnated seed saved from the Victoria Regina;. 

 I am confident any attempts will be amply rewarded, and, I doubt not, 

 would lead to a far more general cultivation of this highly-interesting 

 tribe of plants. They are easy of cultivation, and where the means 

 exist of water, &c, it is well worth every attention. 



I read as follows in Mr. Lawson's book, " that a Water-Lily roND 

 should always be furnished with a plentiful supply of clear water ; and 

 that, while a supply is constantly (or often) kept up, provision must be 

 made that the superfluous water be regularly run off at short intervals 

 to preserve the purity of the pond. 



The kind of soil, too, is of great importance ; the bottom of the pond 

 must be formed of soft mud to a good depth, and it must be heavy 

 enough not to be readily washed away, but by no means be of a clayey 

 nature, although a clay lining may be made beneath to prevent the 

 escape of water. 



The Water- Lilies are perennials ; the tuberous roots may be cased 

 in mud, and be thrown into the water at the places the plants are to be 

 deposited for growth, or they may be tied to a stone for the same pur- 

 pose. When seeds are obtained, they may be wrapped in portions of 

 mud and scattered at the proper places for growth. They readily grow 

 in both instances. 



It will be recollected by all who have seen the White-flowered 

 Water-Lily in its native waters, that, however plentiful the plant may 

 be, it never extends its foliage or its flowers within a certain distance 

 of the dry land, ceasing to grow where the water lessens in depth. 

 This should be borne in mind by those who attempt their growth, and 

 the water should not be less than three feet in depth where the plant or 



