508 LETTERS FROM ENGLAND. 



and when the number was mentioned, I imagined His Graoe de- 

 tected a slight smile of incredulity ; for he begged Mr. Paxton to 

 copy for me, and subscribe his name to, the accurate statistics of the 

 present crop. I send' it to you in a note,* with the addition, that 

 the fruit was of the variety known as the Royal George, very large, 

 and finer flavored than 1 had before tasted from trees grown under 

 glass. The whole trellis from one end to the other, was most ad- 

 mirably clothed— not a vacant place to be found. , 



Of the superb water lUy, lately discovered in Brazil, and named 

 Victoria Begia, in honor of the Queen, you have already published 

 an account. It has grown, and bloomed. here more perfectly than 

 elsewhere •, though tWe are, also, good specimens at the Duke of 

 Northumberland's, and at.Kew. -The finest plant here occupies a 

 house built specially for it, 60 by 45 feet, inclosing a small pond 33 

 feet in diameter for it to grow in. The plant is, unquestionably, 

 the most magnificent aquatic known. The huge circular leaves, 4 

 to 5 feet across, are like great umbrellas in size ; andthe blossoms, as 

 large as a man's hat — pure white, tipped with crimson^float upoh 

 the surface \vith a very queenly dignity,'as if ready t'o command 

 admiration. A small frame or board , was placed, on one of the 

 leaves, merely in order to divide the weight equally as it floated ; 

 and it upheld the weight of a man readily. Smne seeds were pre- 

 ■sented to me of this beautiful flpral amazon before I left Chatswortb ; 

 but as it requires the tank to be heated to a temperature of 85°, 

 and the water kept constantly in motion by a small (wheel, I fear I 

 shall not readily find an amateur in the United States- who will be 

 inclined' to indulge a taste for so expensive a floral fancy. 



The kitchen' and forcing grounds are on an immense scale, and 

 some handsome fruit was being packed to go as a present to the 

 Queen. The pines were usually large and fine ; and the Duke re- 

 marked that Mr. Paxton has reduced the cost of producing thein 

 two-thirds, since he has had charge of that department,— some ten 

 or twelve years. 



* " Memmandum of Peftehes, horne bp the Oreift Peach 2Vee at Chats- 

 worth, in 1850.— rFiTiit thinned out at various times before maturity, 7,801 ; 

 do. left tp, ripen, 926 ; total oro^, 8,72T; , 



Jos. Paxton." 



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