304 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of a collection, and with whom I have had correspondence. 

 I shall be interested in knowing the results later on in this 

 instance. 



At Kew Gardens several of these Lilies are grown in a brick 

 tank at one end of the herbaceous ground : here they flower very 

 well, but cannot extend in a vigorous fashion by reason of the 

 limitation of root development. In another part of the Gardens 

 a pond has been made, and this should prove to be an ideal place 

 for them, as the exhaust steam is taken into this water from the 

 waterworks. At the Oxford Botanic Garden they are grown in 

 the warm Lily tank, where they thrive well, sending up fine 

 flowers. From seeing them in such tanks as these one might be 

 induced to consider them only as semi-hardy ; but such is, as I 

 have already stated, very far from being the case. From the 

 many letters I have received from gentlemen in all parts of the 

 country asking for information respecting these Lilies, cultural 

 and otherwise, I have abundant proofs that already there are 

 many who are entering upon their cultivation. Further proofs 

 also of this have come to hand regarding some of the finest 

 varieties which have been distributed more recently : of these 

 the stock is for the time exhausted, that is, of saleable 

 plants. Those varieties first sent out appear to be more 

 plentiful ; hence they are easily obtainable in the trade, and 

 at really cheap rates. It is these varieties that I would 

 recommend any one who contemplates making a start in their 

 culture to select in the first place. If perchance the water for 

 some reason was not found to suit them, then the loss, if such a 

 thing were really to occur, would be but trifling. (I have never 

 heard of one plant failing except in the case of my own piece 

 of N. flava.) Concerning the newest and choicest kinds, 

 amongst which there are some wonderfully rich colours, and 

 with flowers of extra size, it should be said that the same effect 

 is produced upon them as upon other plants ; that is, for the 

 time being, a weakening of the constitution is noticeable, owing 

 to rapid propagation for securing a stick. Therefore do not 

 expect too much from them the first season or two ; they will 

 regain their natural strength and vigour in due time. In dealing 

 with all varieties to which one may be a comparative stranger 

 as regards habit and vigour, it is best not to keep them in too 

 great a depth of water. Sink them deeper, if desirable, as they 

 gain strength. 



