804 JOURNAL OR 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 w’ere 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. 
