THE BLUE NYMPH JEAS. 



89 



of keeping the water supply maintained. Pricking off the seedlings takes 

 place as soon as the young plants can be safely removed by means of 

 a pointed stick, when they are at once put into small pots, one plant in 

 each : these are then sunk into warm water in a tub. One more shift 

 is given them into -H-in. pots, and by the time they are well established 

 therein the tanks are ready for them. We have attempted cross- 

 fertilisation, but thus far we have not had any success worth mentioning. 

 This may possibly have been caused by the comparatively cool treatment 

 that has been followed on the whole. Attempts have been made, too, with 

 the view of securing a hardy Blue Nymjjhcea, but in this, so far, we have 

 also been disappointed. 



Insects etc. — It must not be surmised that because these Lilies are 

 water plants no trouble is given to the cultivator on this score. The 

 aphis family, of course, finds a congenial home where it can. In this 

 instance it is the black form that occasions trouble upon the leaves, 

 whereon they increase with surprising rapidity. If washed off by means 

 of a syringe it matters not, for they soon regain their positions. (They 

 appear to have accommodated themselves to the situation and acquired 

 the art of swimming.) The best remedy, we find, is to treat them to a 

 process of fumigation with short intervals only. It is possible to drown 

 them, if not to destroy their eggs, when thus stupefied. We are also 

 troubled with the small water-snails, for which a weak solution of lime is 

 a good remedy. Injury is also done by another aquatic insect upon the 

 under surface of the leaves, but I have not been able thus far to fix this 

 pest. I have alluded to the use of manure in the soil, and I have advised 

 that it be excluded. I found that when it was used, notably in 1901, 

 we had a constant source of trouble with a slimy matter that formed 

 upon the soil, and in due course, when sufficiently charged with air, it 

 arose to the surface. When it so happened that this matter came into 

 contact with the under side of the leaves it was sure to injure them by 

 causing spots in the form of decay, which spread rapidly and soon spoiled 

 the foliage. I do not know to what else I can attribute this trouble. It 

 is quite certain we had none of it when no manure was used in any form 

 whatever. Under natural conditions manure does not appear at all 

 essential. Then the only likely stimulant would be any decaying vege- 

 table matter and not a faecal manure in any sense of the term. Hence I 

 am fully determined not to use any in the future. 



For Use as Cut Flowers. — The best variety to use in this way is 

 N. gigantea, because its flowers will remain open longer in the day : 

 these will last good in a cut state for three or four days. The others 

 are all disappointing in this respect, being addicted to closing prematurely 

 when cut, i.e. when cut as fully expanded flowers in the sunshine. They 

 are, however, most satisfactory when cut quite early in the morning, 

 before they expand to any perceptible degree. When so cut the flowers 

 should be placed in the dark, a cool cellar being a good place. Then if 

 wanted — say at the time of a garden party— from three to seven or eight 

 in the evening, the flowers will remain expanded in most reliable fashion. 

 Our method is to fill a tub with water where it is to stand and place some 

 soil in it, so that the flowers can thereby be supported. Then the surface 

 is covered with Water Lily leaves and the flowers inserted. Arranged in 



