62 THE VICTORIA POND. 



it very often happens that this cannot be done, and an independent system has 

 to be adopted. The best for the purpose is hot water. The site for the boiler 

 house must be near-by, practically out of sight, hidden by rockery or shrubbery, 

 as nothing would be more objectionable than an unsightly chimney or building 

 in the landscape. 



Steam may be used for heating, but it is not to be recommended unless 

 used for other purposes. Exhaust steam from an engine or pump must not be 

 emptied into the pond, as the oil contained in the same would be very 

 objectionable. The best method is to use live steam direct from the boiler; 

 one one inch pipe is ample for each pit. This should enter at the top of the pit 

 at one end, and cross diagonally on the bottom, rising at the opposite end, and 

 terminating just below the top of the brickwork with a pit-cock. A valve will 

 be necessary to regulate the supply, also to blow out the exhaust which may 

 empty into the pit. Cover the pipe with drain tiles or insert in a soil pipe or 

 cover with boards, the object being to keep the soil clear of the pipe, and allow the 

 heated water to rise. Cover the exposed main pipe with asbestos, felt, or non- 

 conducting material. This system of heating has worked very satisfactorily. 



In the case of hot water heating, flow and return pipes are necessary, and 

 two-inch pipes preferable. 



The pits are to be heated separately and independently of the pond proper, 

 until the Nyniphseas are planted out about the first of June, earlier in Southern 

 States. A i-inch pipe may circuit the pit, but if a 2-inch pipe is placed 

 the same as advised for steam heating it will be found very beneficial. In this 

 case the return pipe must necessarily be under the bottom of the pond proper; 

 great care must be exercised that the wall where the pipe is carried through 

 is perfectly water tight as serious trouble will result from a leaky tank. 



Towards the middle or latter part of June the plants will have attained 

 considerable proportions; the frame will be full of leaves, and every means 

 should lie used to " harden off " the plant previous to full exposure, which it is not 

 prudent to allow before the latter part of June. Care must be exercised in 

 this performance, and the weather must be settled warm; a chill and a check 

 to growth at this time would annul all the care and attention previously 

 bestowed, and the plants would probably be ruined. With the water at a 

 temperature of 80°, or even 75° during a cold spell, the Victoria will pull 

 through, and the tropical Nymphaeas will doubly repay for the care and atten- 

 tion bestowed on them ; the Nymphaeas, indeed, will attain such perfection 

 that they will surpass anything seen under ordinary conditions. 



