70 THE FLORIST AND 
surface of ground, intersected by numerous and high hedges, all running in 
the same direction, from east to west ; they, consequently, give free ad- 
mittance to the morning and evening sun, but screen from the cold north 
wind and the scorching rays of the sun at noon. The green-house plants, 
Camellias, Indian Azaleas, Conifers, etc., are neatly arranged, and remain 
here during the summer. The houses, which gave them shelter in winter 
time, are now immediately occupied by a numerous host of Q-loxinias, Achi- 
menes, Gf-esnerias, with the beautiful kinds of Caladiums, Curcumas, and 
other tuberous rooted plants, all of which lie dormant, in the state of small 
dry tubers, during the whole winter, and are almost lost sight of until the 
next summer, when, filling whole houses with the rich ornament of their 
brilliant flowers and glossy leaves, they can be fully appreciated. 
Let us now turn to the other glass-houses, not yet come under our obser- 
vation ; we find, again, a whole group of them, of which the two, in front, 
are appropriated to iVew Holland and Cape plants ; the third, for Pelar- 
goniums ; the fourth, for Indian Azaleas ; and the fifth, for the cultivation 
of the far-famed Victoria regia. This queen of aquatic plants is associated 
with the beautiful tropical water Lilies, among which ih.Q Nymphaea gigantea, 
which nearly rivals the Victoria, in the large size of its deep blue flowers. 
The Victoria house claims a particular interest, it being the first which was 
erected for that purpose on the European continent, and because it was 
here, where the Victoria, as well as the Nymphaea gigantea, unfolded, for 
the first time, their splendid blossoms. Be it understood, that we speak 
here from the European Continent ; the Victoria regia having flowered 
eight months sooner, for the very first time, in the celebrated gardens at 
Chatsworth. The Victoria house is a perfectly circular building, with a 
cupola of iron and glass, of a very plain, but elegant construction. The 
basin is also circular, has a diameter of twenty-six feet, is entirely built in 
brick and cement, and heated by steam pipes. Sidewards from these 
houses, extends a wide plain, entirely covered with frames, in which the 
most various plants are grown. The collection of Cape and other flowering 
bulbs is particularly rich and extensive. M. Van Houtte collects them 
with a special predilection, and it is but justice to say, that no nursery can 
equal his, in this interesting family of plants. Whole ranges of frames are 
filled with the rarer sorts of Lilium, Amaryllis, the beautiful Sparaxis, 
Ixias, Tigridias, etc. The hardier kinds of bulbs, such as Q-ladiolus, 
Iris, Tulips, Crocus, Scilla, Alstroemerias, etc., are grown in the open 
ground, and on the most extensive scale. Further on, the garden extends 
into large fields, appropriated to the culture of annuals, Roses, Rhododen- 
