HARDY HYBRID WATFT!-T;IlTT% 



291 



which can be most effectively grouped together in the open air 

 in the waters of all the temperate countries, and also in those 

 towards the north. 



The first difficulties ol hybridisation have now been over- 

 come ; an impetus has been given to this most interesting 

 pursuit ; and there is no doubt that new seedlings and varieties 

 more remarkable and more perfect than their predecessors, both 

 in form and colour, will shortly arrive on the scene to still 

 further enrich the domain of aquaticulture. It is only necessary 

 to have experienced the irresistible admiration which one feels 

 on seeing a fine group of hybrid Water-lilies to be convinced of 

 the leading position which will be assigned in the future to this 

 new branch of horticulture. What sight can one imagine more 

 imposing or more enchanting than that of a piece of water pro- 

 fusely peopled by these graceful plants, with their elegant foliage, 

 and their corollas diapered with the most brilliant colours, and 

 spreading for the space of five months in the year without 

 interruption upon the surface of the water, where the slender 

 dragon-flies flash the enamel of their scaly armour and reflect 

 the splendour of their transparent wings ; where shoals of gold- 

 fish with their scales of coral and vermilion swim like a 

 squadron of ships on a cruise ; with the margins of the pools 

 surrounded by luxurious masses of Bamboos, Yuccas, Eulalias, 

 Pampas Grass, and other exotic plants which present to the 

 charmed gaze the illusion of an entirely oriental situation ! 



The realisation of this magic ideal has excited a universal 

 enthusiasm for this new style of gardening, in which England 

 shows so much emulation, and occupies the foremost rank on 

 account of the number and splendour of her collections. It is 

 a fact that the climate of Great Britain is very favourable to 

 these plants, for they do not require an excessive amount of 

 heat ; indeed the flowers, particularly the deep -red ones, often 

 suffer in tropical countries from too fierce a sun. It is also to 

 be remarked that Water-lilies keep open longer under a cloudy 

 sky than under one that is too glaring. One must not, how- 

 ever, jump to the conclusion from this that they prefer quite 

 shaded places, as this would be entirely a mistake. The best 

 conditions for their prosperity are plenty of air and light. 



In addition to the delightful ornament which the flowers of 

 Water-lilies furnish for aquatic purposes, they are also most 



