1898.] ESSAYS. 121 



tive purposes, while its petioles and leaves are devoted to medi- 

 cine. The Americans, however, are satisfied to use it for its 

 decorative purposes, and in this it excels. 



It is propagated by seeds and by the division of its roots. 

 Seeds of the Nelumbiuni have grown after having been kept 

 forty years, but one may not infer that they improve with age. 

 Baron Von Miiller tells us that the ancient Egyptian method of 

 sowing was to enclose the seeds in balls of muddy clay and 

 chaflf, which were then sunk in the water where the plants were 

 desired to grow. If the hard, outer coat of the seed is filed 

 thin near the apex, it will germinate more readily. Seed planted 

 in March, in pots in water, at a temperature of seventy degrees, 

 will germinate in about ten days. When the plants are of suffi- 

 cient size, they should be repotted and kept inside until June, 

 when they can be planted outside in their permanent quarters. 

 The seed may also be planted where the plants are expected to 

 grow, and thus become naturalized. There are some examples 

 of this method that have been very satisfactory. Raised from 

 seed the plants will not flower until the second year, when one 

 may expect a fine display of bloom. If plants are grown from 

 the roots or tubers, flowers can be expected the first season. 

 This method is doubtless best for amateurs. The time for 

 dividing tubers is in the spring when growth begins ; the condi- 

 tions are then more favorable for active work, and little risk 

 attends planting at that time, which will be about June first. 

 When planted, they should be covered with six inches of soil. 

 Once established, they grow with marvelous rapidity. 



If planted in a pond with lilies, the roots should be confined 

 by brick wall, as they are voracious feeders and will soon take 

 possession both of soil and space. They attain greater perfec- 

 tion and beauty to occu[)y a pond alone and without restriction. 

 They can, however, be grown very satisfactorily in tubs and 

 half-hogsheads. They should be in a sheltered spot so that the 

 wind will not destroy their flowers. It is claimed by some that 

 sluggish streams or ponds with a fresh supi)Iy of water, either 

 by stream or fountain, are better adapted to them. They should 

 be protected in winter either with water of sufficient depth, or 



