110 
CULTURE OF AQUATICS. 
3. Sow the seeds in small pots in a very light rich mould, as rotten leaves, &c», 
and place them in a shallow pot of water in a cucumber frame, or other brisk heat ; 
and when the plants come up, plant them singly into sixty-sized pots and replace 
them in the water ; shift them as they advance in growth, and place them every 
time into a deeper vessel of water, and when large enough plant them in the 
aquarium they are intended to occupy. 
,4. Division of the roots should always take place when the plants are in a 
torpid state, and a short time- before they commence growing; pot them at first, and 
treat them like seedlings, until large enough to plant in the aquarium. 
5. The best soil for the general culture of these plants is a mixture of equal 
parts of very rotten leaf-mould, and rich mellow loam. For strong growing plants 
this must be placed at the bottom of the aquarium, but all delicate plants will do 
better in pots filled with it, which may be either suspended by hooks in the water 
or placed on steps in the pond. 
6. When the basin is full of water, and it is desired to insert another plant at the 
bottom, the best way is to fix the plant with soil in a small open basket of wicker- 
work, and let it down by means of a hook to its appointed station, giving the basket 
a slight press to insert it in the mud ; the roots will soon find their way through, 
and spread in the soil at the bottom. 
The stove species of all these genera grow with more freedom in a very damp 
and close heat, particularly in that of a hotbed. Some of them are very beautiful, 
particularly the species of Nymphaea, nearly all of which are very scarce. 
All the Nymphaeas grow delightfully in small pots (sixties), which may be 
either set in large pots of water, with the hole at the bottom plugged up, or in little 
troughs of wood. 
The water in pots or troughs should be changed twice or three times a week 
during the season of growth, but in winter once a week will be sufficient. Never 
allow confervas to increase on the surface of the water, for it will inevitably injure 
the health of the plant. 
The usual time of their wintering is from October to March ; they should then 
be repotted and replaced in the water, at first to a little depth— and as the plants 
grow, sunk deeper. 
If all the stove aquatics are planted in a pond, no further care is required than a 
supply of fresh water at stated periods, so let in as not to chill the plants and check 
their growth. 
Propagation. — Nymphceas produce runners from their roots in May, which 
are separated and planted in sixty-sized pots. 
Euryale does not propagate from the roots as Nymphaeas, but produces seeds 
very freely if the pollen be laid on the stigma with a camel-hair pencil. These 
seeds should be sown in small pots, and placed in water in January. All the other 
aquatics are easily propagated by division of the roots. 
