THIRD WEEK IN APRIL 



almost vermilion in tint ; whilst the blossoms of N. Paul 

 Heriot are in pale pink flushed with carmine in the centre, 

 like those of a blush -rose. 



The tiny white flowers of N. pygmaea alba, a species from 

 China, can be grown in very shallow water, as well as those 

 of N. odorata alba, with blossoms about 3 inches across ; 

 these are suitable for a summer balcony or verandah, and 

 should be given slight protection during the winter in 

 any place free from frost. 



The beautiful blue water-lily of tropical South- West Africa 

 has hitherto resisted all the efforts of the hybridisers to 

 induce it to produce a hardy hybrid, and therefore the 

 cultivation of this plant is much more difficult, needing, 

 as it does, water of the temperature of about 72 throughout 

 the year. 



A very interesting paper on this nymphaea (coerulea) and 

 its varieties was read some years ago by Mr. James Hudson, 

 V.M.H., before the Royal Horticultural Society, giving full 

 particulars for the cultivation of blue nymphaeas, in which 

 he has been so highly successful. N. stellata, of which the 

 Berlin variety appears to be one of the best, is extremely 

 vigorous, requiring an extra depth of water in its tank, 

 around which small hot-water pipes should run to supply 

 the necessary warmth to the water ; the roots of this plant 

 also are said to be the better for a resting-time in dry sand 

 during three weeks in January, after which they are started 

 afresh, each in a separate pot, submerged in a pan of 

 warmed water. About the end of April they should 

 have made sufficient growth to be planted in the special 

 tanks prepared for them, which stand in the open air, each 

 with a covering of glass, by which the temperature can be 

 regulated by opening or closing the ventilators as required. 

 These glass coverings are, it seems, removed entirely in the 

 height of summer, unless the position of the tanks is exposed 

 to high winds, which injure the flowers, blowing them almost 

 out of the water. 



The blossoms of the blue water-lilies are star-like, raised 

 above the surface of the water like those of N. lucida ; but 



141 



