252 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



flowers more pleasing than large masses of Nymphaea Marliacea albida, 

 N. M. rosea, N. M. chrovmtella, N. * Jas. Bryden,' N, atropurpurea, 

 N. * Wm. Falconer,' N. Froehelli, N. colossea, N. Ellisiana, and 



gloriosa. These all have distinctive features, save in the case of 

 N. atropiirpiirea and N. ' Wm. Falconer,' which somewhat resemble 

 each other. All of them are most floriferous, and the colour effect they 

 produce is most pleasing. Later on, when N. * Escarboucle ' and 

 N . ' Meteor ' become more plentiful they will add yet further attrac- 

 tions. Of the smaller varieties a lovely scene is produced when 

 N. sanguinea, N. ignea, and N . Laydekeri rosea are grouped near to 

 such aquatic plants as Typha latifolia and then viewed from the opposite 

 side of the water with the Typha as a background. The variation from 

 day to day adds also to the attractive features of these Nymphaeas ; one 

 day it may be a mass of white blossoms, another one of yellows, another 

 of pink ones, another of deep rosy pinks, and another of crimsons. I 

 am disposed to think that Water Lilies never look so beautiful as they 

 do after a shower of rain, or even during a damp, drizzling day. We 

 find occasional showers most beneficial in keeping the leaves clean. 

 During a long period of dry weather the dusty deposit upon the leaves 

 detracts somewhat from their beauty in our case. (At the present 

 moment, whilst making these notes, it is raining here and the Lilies 

 look at their best, the blue varieties in the open-air and warm tank 

 being especially beautiful.) 



Insects and Diseases. — Of insect pests the Black Fly is certainly 

 troublesome, and this season it has been particularly so in our case. 

 I have noticed, however, that the Moor-fowl which frequent our lakes 

 have been paying attention to this pest. I am pleased to be 

 able to say something in favour of these birds, for hitherto I have 

 looked upon them as enemies, at least to some extent. As a remedy 

 for the fly, I think nothing in the way of an insecticide is better or 

 safer than a strong solution of Quassia extract — say one to eighty 

 of rain water. This should be applied over the entire surface of the 

 leaf growth. In order to reach the under surface of the leaves, 

 all that one has to do is to hold the nozzle under the water, but as 

 close up under the leaves as possible. An ordinary syringe will 

 answer the purpose if in expert hands, and with a pair of waders, 

 in order to get close to the plants, will be a great advantage. 1 

 just referred to the Moor-fowl. The fault I have to find with this 

 bird is its propensity to make its nest upon the Water Lilies, choosing 

 a fairly good- sized plant for this purpose. But in selecting materials 

 for the nest the leaves of the newer kinds are their special choice, for 

 what reason I cannot explain, unless it be that the foliage is more 

 attractive from point of colour, as the bird selects the bronzy-leaved 

 kinds in particular, and such leaves as are floating upon the surface. 

 Needless to say, this practice is severely discouraged. There is a 

 water-snail that in some instances causes trouble; for this I think 

 nothing is better than finely granulated lime applied before the plants 

 start into active growth. The lime, of course, soon loses its properties. 



