No. 129. j 479 



ers of Chelsea, near London, to cultivate this magnificent plant 

 in the open air, has completely succeeded. They constructed a 

 basin twenty-one feet in diameter and three feet deep. They set 

 out in good loam mixed with river sand, a young Victoria plant 

 about the third of March. It then had three leaves measuring 

 (the largest) eighteen inches in diameter. Since that it has 

 grown considerably and seems robust. The number of leaves 

 now (May 31) is seven, which are from three feet and-a-half to 

 four feet in diameter, and as the season increases in heat, they 

 may be expected to attain the greatest diameter. The petioles 

 (foot stalks) of the leaves are from eight to twelve feet long, 

 throwing their leaves to a considerable distance from the base of 

 that plant. The first flower opened partially, on the 16th, and 

 for some hours before its full bloom, it exhaled a very sweet and 

 very powerful perfume. It was in full bloom in the evening of 

 the following day. It was then admirable and displayed all its 

 beauties before a great number of visitors. The colors of this 

 Jfenuphar are two, white and carmine. The exterior petals are 

 white, and the interior ones carmine — very red and rich. The 

 flower measured from nine to twelve inches in diameter. The 

 duration of the blooming was short, it lasted only during two 

 successive evenings. The flowers succeed each other all the 

 season. 



We add, that it has a more noble appearance in the open air 

 than in hot-houses, the leaves becoming hypocratenform (cup 

 shaped,) is very interesting. The basin in which this plant is 

 growing is warmed by means of tubes conveying to the basin 

 warm water. The tubes are in two rows on the bottom, and com- 

 municate with the boiler, which warms besides a range of glass- 

 houses. The temperatui'e of the water in the basin is kept up to 

 from 75° to 90° of Fahrenlieit. A constant current of clear 

 water is entering the basin. A temporary cover is placed over 

 the basin at night to protect it from high winds. A row of blue, 

 yellow and white nenuphars is placed around the Victoria. In 

 this note we are given to understand that tlie Victoria may be 

 cultivated in open air, provided you keep the water warm ! But 



