WATER GARDENS UNDER GLASS I75 



the centre and smaller basins around the sides. 

 The latter, since they are to accommodate 

 plants of small stature, need be but fifteen 

 inches deep, though it is well to have some 

 thirty inches deep to accommodate Nelumbi- 

 ums, etc. The central basin has at the sides 

 a depth of thirty inches, and slopes toward 

 the centre, where there is a pit to accommo- 

 date the roots of the Victoria. Give this pit a 

 capacity of about two hundred cubic feet. 



For heating purposes either steam or hot 

 water can be used, the pipes being made 

 to pass along the edges of both the larger and 

 the smaller basins. The Victoria pit has a 

 special coil, to provide extra heat for the roots 

 and to permit the heating of the small amount 

 of water which must surround the Victoria 

 for the first few days after planting. At 

 first the water temperature must be 90°F. 

 but later, when the plant is well developed, 

 and the tank filled with water, a temperature 

 of 8o°F. will suffice. The air, which must be 

 kept at 7o°F., should be heated by a pipe 

 passing under the ridge of the roof. Such an 



