I'LAXTIXC WMPH.^AS. 37 



tuber should possess an unbroken leading shoot, and a small lateral one at the 

 base; an extra size root more often consists of two sections, thus having a 

 leading shoot and two smaller ones. 



In planting, place the tuber horizontally in the soil, about three inches 

 under the surface, and cover the whole root; if necessary, place a brick or 

 some other h^avy article upon it, to keep it from rising and floating on the 

 surface. Small tubers may be started in pots, or in wooden pails, and thus 

 treated, are preferable for planting in Northern sections where the season is 

 late. Nelumbiums grown in tubs should have more soil than is allowed for 

 Nymphaeas, and a larger tub, say a half-hogshead, so as to give all possible 

 soil (plant food) during the growing season. The tubs may be filled to within 

 two inches of the top, giving a rich top-dressing, also giving the plants frequent 

 waterings with liquid manure. This, of course, applies only to tubs that are not 

 submerged in a pond. 



Tropical or Tender Nvmplneag should not be planted out until settled 

 warm weather is assured ; this will be sometime from the middle of May to 

 the first week of June. A good rule may be to plant them out when it is 

 considered safe to plant out tender bedding plants such as Coleus and Alter- 

 nanthera. As our summers are none too early or too long for these plants to 

 fully develop, it is advisable to have these plants well advanced before being 

 planted out, and if plants have to be procured from a distance, and only a few 

 are required, it is better to secure them three or four weeks before the time of 

 planting out in permanent quarters, repotting them info a size larger pot, or 

 according to size and condition of the plants, using soil as before recommended. 

 Place these in tubs of water, and give them every chance to grow. If a few 

 hotbed sash are at command, the tubs may be placed or plunged in a frame, 

 and covered with the sash. If this protection cannot be afforded, some warm 

 sheltered spot may be found, and the plants protected from cold winds and 

 nights, this will accelerate active growth, and ensure earlier blooming, thus 

 prolonging the season by several weeks. 



It is sometimes desirable to retard the blooming of hardy Nymphseas, so as 

 to bring them into flower somewhat later than, or at the same as, the tender 

 ones. This may be done where these are grown in tubs or boxes, or planted 

 out; draw off the water, thus exposing the crowns of the plants, which must be 

 kept out of the water, but must not be dried up by the action of the sun and 

 air; cover with sphagnum and keep moist (branches or bracken may also be 

 laid over them to shade from sun and keep from drying). The roots may also 



