110 
CULTURE OF NELUMBRICUS. 
have not got it in our possession at Chatsworth, but we understand it climbs beauti- 
fully up the rafters of the stove, and flowers freely. 
SoLANUM. — This genus is of very simple culture, requiring light soil and propa- 
gation by seeds and cuttings. 
Canavalia. — Plant in sandy loam and propagate by seeds and cuttings. 
jEgiphila. — This should be planted against a trellis, in peat and loam, and is 
easily propagated by cuttings. 
Phaseolus. — Will grow in any light soil, and is propagated by seeds. 
Thryallis. — This is an elegant plant, growing upwards of twelve feet high, it 
is well suited for a rafter. Peat suits it best, and it may be propagated by cuttings. 
CULTURE OF IS^ELUMBRIUMS. 
The Neliimhuims are all aquatic plants of much beauty, all requiring the heat 
of the stove to grow them to perfection, although in a warm greenhouse they will 
thrive pretty well. 
They may be propagated either by division of the roots or by seeds ; the former 
when the plant is in a torpid state in winter ; the latter are sown in April. 
In sowing the seeds, open the thickest ends, either by filing or cutting them ofl^ 
with a knife ; after which put them in a basin or glass of water, when they will 
germinate in about a fortnight, if placed in a warm situation. 
As soon as they have began to form the first leaf, take them out of the water, 
and plant them in pots of soil, and plunge the pots over head in water. 
They will not thrive in stagnant water ; it will therefore be necessary to change 
it about twice a week, or oftener. 
They will scarcely do with much less heat in the day than seventy-five or 
eighty degrees ; of course they do not require so much heat at night. 
By the end of the year these seedlings will have become fine plants, when they 
begin to go into a torpid state ; take the pots out of the water, and allow them to 
become dry, or nearly so, until the season for them to begin to grow again, when 
they may be replaced in the water as before. 
Previous to placing them again in the water in spring, shift them into larg 
pots (about sixes), or into tubs at once. If it is intended that the tubs sho 
contain the water for them to grow in, they will require to be about eighteen in 
deep, and two feet or more square. 
To prevent the moss from growing so quickly in the box, it is advisable to lay 
a portion of sharp river sand on the surface of the soil, for about an inch thick. 
Each tub should contain a foot depth of soil (good rich loam) ; the other six 
inches should be kept filled with water, except when the plants are in a torpid state. 
With proper management they become great ornaments, covering the surface of 
the water with broad, flat, beautiful leaves, and the N. speciosa flowers freely. 
