172 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



of considerable length. These came up with good balls, and were 

 immediately transferred to large circular baskets which had been half- 

 filled with good loam and leaf-soil, a few handfuls of bone-meal being 

 allotted to each basket according to its size. When the roots were 

 carefully spread out more soil was added to fill each basket, which 

 was at once sunk again into the water, but at a greater distance apart 

 than in the first instance. This time the strongest were placed at 

 some 10 feet or so from each other, but I can see already, after only 

 one more year's growth, that they will require more room even than 

 this. These plants were sunk in about 18 inches of water this time in 

 order to be more in accord with their growth. The more moderate 

 growers were arranged in front of these and in about 12 inches of 

 water. No apparent check ensued even at the first, for they grew 

 away most vigorously, and in most cases have flowered as profusely. 

 By the autumn the strongest clumps were fully 6 feet across, and 

 this season I shall not be surprised if they touch each other. The 

 lake has a fair quantity of mud in it, about 6 inches perhaps where 

 the plants are at present, the bottom being puddled with clay. The 

 supply of water is from a spring. 



These fine water plants as grown and bloomed here are singularly 

 beautiful and effective ; either one or another is always producing 

 the distinct and pleasing flowers. The flowers remain open, too, for 

 a prolonged period each day, either one or another being in good 

 condition from 9 a.m. to nearly dusk when the weather is bright. 

 On more than one occasion I have also noted how beautiful they 

 have been during showery weather ; the water then being clear added 

 to their beauty, the flowers glistening and sparkling like diamonds 

 when under a brilliant light. When seen in this state, scarcely any- 

 thing in the way of flowers could be more beautiful. JAS. HUDSON. 

 For many years I have planted these Lilies with pleasure and 

 happy results, and, in view of their importance, their story is worth 

 telling. Their discovery by a modest amateur 

 Water-Lilies in a small town near Bordeaux was the best 

 at Gravetye. ever done for hardy flowers. It seemed doubtful 

 at first if these Water-Lilies, showing as they do 

 such lovely colours, could be hardy ; as it happens, they are as hardy 

 as the great Water Dock by the lake side. In all I put in I cannot 

 say there was a failure, if the start be made with healthy young 

 plants. In all these years many groups have been in position 

 without change or attention. No preparation whatever was made 

 for planting beyond sinking in the ordinary mud which is washed 

 into the lake by the woodland streamlets. They were planted tied 

 to pieces of stone dropped into the water, or sometimes in a small 

 wicker basket weighted with stones. From some of the groups 



