130 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  9,  1900. 
Water  Lilies  at  Kew. 
Taking  into  consideration  the  many  other  attractions  at  Kew  it  is, 
perhaps,  a  little  surprising  to  find  with  what  favour  the  Water  Lily 
house  is  regarded.  Visitors  to  Kew,  it  is  very  apparent,  are  not  more 
struck  with  the  gaudy  bedding  outside  the  Palm  house  than  with  the 
more  refined  beauty  of  the  Water  Lilies.  People  press  in  to  see  these 
plants,  and  are  keen  in  expressing  their  disappointment  or  appreciation 
of  the  flowers  that  are  expanded.  The  Water  Lily  house  should  prove 
one  of  the  most  interesting  structures  in  the  gardens,  for  in  addition  to 
the  splendid  water  garden  there  is  a  collection  of  plants  of  really 
surprising  diversity  and  interest  on  the  roof. 
The  Water  Lily  house  is  a  most  successful  instance  of  the  use  of 
the  art  which  conceals  art.  The  effect  is  light  and  pretty,  the  plants 
have  the  appearance  of  being  happily  placed  and  healthily  grown, 
with  a  judicious  blend  of  foliage,  flower,  and  fruit,  of  water  plants, 
bog  plants,  curiosities  of  vegetable  life,  and  of  economic  use. 
Entering  the  house  by  the  porch  opposite  the  Palm  house  the 
floriferous  Leadwort,  Plumbago  capensis,  first  takes  the  eye,  and 
inside  handsome  Musas,  with  their  stems  in  beds  of  bright  Balsams, 
occupy  the  left  hand  border.  On  the  roof  is  a  large  plant  of  Bougain¬ 
villea  spectabilis,  and  trained  up  yrires  festooning  the  inner  arch  of 
the  porch  are  plants  of  Manettia  bicolor,  spotted  with  its  small  bright 
red  tubular  flower,  tipped  with  intense  yellow.  Once  beyond  the  porch 
the  tank  and  its  contents  will  draw  the  attention.  This  roomy  structure, 
2  feet  deep  by  36  in  diameter,  is  warmed  by  two  rows  of  pipes,  and 
gives  accommodation  to  a  splendid  collection  of  Nympbseas,  which 
most  of  them  are  grown  in  large  pots  standing  on  a  leaden  bottom. 
In  the  summer  the  heat  of  the  water  is  maintained  at  70®  Pahr. 
The  first  Nymphsea  seen  will  doubtless  be  N.  Laydekeri,  with  its 
very  beautiful  pink  petals  which  deepen  in  depth  of  tone  with  the  age 
of  the  flower.  These  float  among  small  leaves  3  to  5  inches  across. 
N.  gigantea,  N.  Lotus  var.  devoniensis,  N.  stellata  v.  scutifolia,  and 
N.  Ortgiesiana  cccupy  a  large  part  of  the  surface.  N.  tuberosa 
V.  flavescens,  a  beautiful  little  plant,  with  leaves  only  4  inches  in 
diameter,  and  flowers  deepening  from  the  pale  sulphur  of  the  outer 
sepals  through  all  delicate  gradations  of  primrose  to  the  full  Indian 
yellow  of  the  stamens,  has  a  choicely  pure  effect.  If  the  day  be  cloudy 
N.  Deari  may  be  found  still  open,  though  it  is.  seldom  found  expanded 
after  10  a.m. 
That  most  graceful  and  charming  plant  Nelumbium  speciosum  will 
be  found  in  the  triangular  corner  tanks,  associated  with  another  fore¬ 
shore  plant,  Limnocharis  Plumieri,  whose  fleshy  heart-shaped  leaves, 
borne  up  on  stout  petioles,  are  exactly  the  same  colour  and  texture  as 
the  Sacred  Bean  Lily.  The  flowers  of  the  Limnocharis  are  all  on  tall 
spikes,  and  of  a  low  toned  yellow  deepening  to  the  centre.  The 
Nelumbium  is  also  grown  in  pots,  and  interspersed  with  other  foliage 
and  flowering  plants  round  the  verge  of  the  central  tank.  Opposite 
the  door,  on  the  far  side,  is  a  thicket  of  the  ancient  Paper  Reed, 
Cyperus  papyrus ;  and  close  to  it  Hemographis  colora'a,  with  spikes  of 
orange  flowers ;  a  strong  plant  of  the  Batavian  Sugarcane,  Sacoharum 
violaceum ;  a  clump  of  Cyclanthus  cristatus,  5  feet  high  by  7  feet 
through,  with  a  growth  like  an  Aspidistra ;  several  Hedychiums — 
H.  coronarium,  with  large  heavily  scented  white  flowers ;  Sagittaria 
montevidensis,  having  tall  sagittate  leaves  and  three-petalled  flowers 
of  a  delicate  creamy  white  with  a  yellow  eye,  on  which  is  a  rich  spot 
of  purple  red.  The  domestic  Rice,  Oryza  sativa,  in  fruit,  grows  modestly 
near  a  fine  root  of  Aorostichum  anreum,  which  represents  the  Pern 
family. 
The  roof  will  be  found  a  happy  hunting  place  for  the  lovers  of 
climbers  and  trailing  plants,  the  species  of  tender  tropical  origin  are 
sufficient  to  defy  enumeration.  If  all  else  is  passed  the  hairy  Wax 
Gourd,  Benincasia  cereifera,  will  be  seen,  with  its  thick  white  fruit 
18  inches  long.  The  delicately  pretty  Momordica  charantia,  with  its 
armed  yellow  capsules  which  split  and  disclose  deep  red  seed  ;  the 
Snake  Gourd,  Trichosanthes  anguina,  its  fruit  deepening  in  intensity 
of  colour  from  dark  green  to  orange  red  •  several  Cucumises  (LufEas) 
help  to  furnish  the  rafters.  There  is  a  grand  Solanum  with  clusters 
of  large  purple  flowers,  S.  Wendlandi  and  two  others  of  the  genus, 
S.  Seaforthianum  with  Jasmine-like  leaves,  and  S.  pensile,  with  thick 
clusters  of  deeper  purple.  Allamanda  Shotti  still  flourishes  on  the 
opposite  side,  several  plants  of  Aristolochia  gigas,  of  Passifloras, 
Bignonias,  and  Ipomseas  are  mixed  with  the  Gourds. 
Clitoria  ternata  is  interesting,  as  showing  the  hugely  developed 
blue  keel  and  wings  concealing  the  standard.  A  grand  plant  of 
Ipomaea  (Batatas)  paniculata  is  emplojed  to  twine  about  the  iron 
railings  which  contains  the  tank.  We  have  never  known  a  time  when 
there  has  been  none  of  its  widely  expanded  flattened  bells.  The  two 
honey  glands  just  below  the  calyx  glisten  with  nectar.  Among  the 
smaller  occupants  of  the  border  are  several  Sensitive  Plants,  and  that 
intensely  red  flower  the  Scutellaria  coccinea.  In  the  lake  near  by  on 
the  northern  side  is  an  enclosed  space,  tn  which  the  student  of  the 
Nymphaeas  will  find  many  of  the  hardier  species.  In  the  larger  lake 
in  the  arboretum  are  some  grand  groups  of  the  English  forms  now  in 
full  bloom. 
In  elucidation  of  the  foregoing  description  we  reproduce,  by  kind 
permission  of  Mr.  E.  J.  Wallis,  Galveston  Road,  West  Hill,  Wandsworth, 
an  effective  illustration.  It  forms  part  of  the  Kew  series  of  photographs 
which  are  published  and  sold  in  pne  volume  by  Mr.  Wallis  at  the  Royal 
“Gardens,  and  which  bears  upon  it  the  preface  and  imprimatur  of  the 
Director,  Sir  W.  Thistleton  Dyer.  His  euloglum  of  the  work  is  amply 
justified,  as  it  presents  many  charming  aspects  of  this  our  unrivalled 
institution.  No  person  who  visits  Kew  should  fail  to  take  away  so 
pleasing  and  portable  a  souvenir  of  the  beauties  presented  by  the 
Gardens  at  various  seasons,  thirty  phases  of  which  are  contained  in  this 
handsome  publication  of  Mr.  Wallis. — A. 
Notes  on  Figs. 
The  earliest  forced  trees  in  pots  should  be  examined  for  red  spider 
and  scale  as  soon  as  the  second  crop  is  cleared,  having  recourse  to 
cleaning,  and  as  the  foliage  and  wood  are  far  advanced  in  ripening, 
destructive  agents  may  be  used  at  a  strength  that  would  not  be  safe 
earlier.  The  trees  may  be  syringed  with  an  insecticide  at  a  temperature 
of  130°  to  140°,  the  mixture  being  kept  from  saturating  the  soil  by 
tying  a  handful  of  dry  moss  round  the  stem,  and  then  raising  a  sort  of 
pyramid  of  the  same,  placed  about  the  plant.  Badly  infested  wood 
should  he  brushed  to  dislodge  scale,  and  repeat  the  syringing  in  a 
few  days  ;  afterwards  sponge  with  an  insecticide  and  cleanse  by  a 
thorough  syringing  with  tepid  water. 
The  trees  will  Still  require  proper  attention  for  watering,  but  only  to 
the  extent  of  preventing  the  foliage  becoming  limp,  ventilating  the 
house  to  the  fullest  extent  day  and  night,  but  protect  the  trees  from 
heavy  rains,  which  have  a  tendency  to  saturate  the  soil  and  prejudice 
the  ripening  of  the  wood.  Placing  the  trees  outdoors  is  favourable  to 
the  maturation  of  the  wood  if  the  weather  be  tine  and  dry,  but  if  wet 
and  dull  the  air  moisture  causes  growth  which  does  not  ripen  well,  and  the 
first  crop  drops  in  consequence.  Judgment  must,  therefore,  be 
exercised  as  to  whether  the  trees  are  kept  under  glass  or  placed 
outdoors.  If  the  latter,  the  position  must  be  sunny,  the  pots  stood 
on  a  layer  of  ashes,  with  similar  material  about  them,  and  though  the 
trees  must  not  suffer  from  dryness,  material  must  be  at  hand  to  apply 
so  as  to  throw  off  heavy  rains  and  prevent  the  soil  becoming  sodden. 
Whether  kept  under  glass  or  placed  outdoors  they  cannot  have  too 
much  light  and  air,  the  growths  being  fairly  thin  and  the  points 
exposed. 
Early  forced  planted-out  Fig  trees  are  now  ripening  the  second 
crop,  and  will  need  a  circulation  of  air  constantly,  more,  of  course,  by 
day  than  at  night.  If  dull  weather  prevail,  a  gentle  heat  in  the  pipes 
makes  a  difference  in  the  quality  of  the  fruit,  and  prevents  spotting 
and  splitting.  A  little  sulphur  brushed  on  the  flow  pipes  gives  off 
fumes,  disliked  by  red  spider  and  spot  fungus.  Watering  at  the  roots 
must  be  diminished,  syringing  over  the  trees  discontinued,  but  a 
moderate  air  moisture  should  be  secured  by  occasionally  damping  the 
floor  and  border  for  the  benefit  of  the  foliage.  If  red  spider  is  present 
heat  the  pipes  to  170°,  or  so  hot  that  the  hand  cannot  endure  the  heat, 
and  then  coat  with  a  thin  coat  of  sulphur  and  skim  milk,  keeping  the 
house  closed  for  an  hour  or  two,  then  allow  the  pipes  to  cool,  and  admit 
air  as  usual.  To  insure  good  finish  a  free  circulation  of  warm  rather 
dry  air  is  essential,  and  it  also  acts  beneficially  on  the  foliage  and  wood. 
In  late  or  unheated  houses  the  fruit  is  now  advanced  for  ripening, 
therefore  spare  no  pains  in  freeing  of  red  spider  by  syringing  in  the 
morning  and  afternoon.  Admit  a  little  air  early,  and  increase  it  with 
the  sun  heat,  maintaining  through  the  day  a  temperature  of  80°  to  85°, 
with  free  ventilation,  closing  early,  so  as  to  increase  to  90°  or  95° ;  and 
when  the  sun  power  is  declining  a  little  air  may  be  admitted  at  the  top 
of  the  house,  so  as  to  allow  the  pent-up  moisture  to  escape,  and 
the  temperature  to  fall  gradually.  Water  or  liquid  manure  will  be 
required  once  or  twice  a  week,  according  to  the  circumstances,  in  order 
to  keep  the  soil  properly  moist  and  supply  nutrition.  When  the  fruit 
gives  indications  of  ripening  syringing  must  cease,  watering  being 
gradually  reduced  at  the  roots,  a  circulation  of  air  constantly  secured, 
freely  ventilating  when  favourable,  and  husbanding  the  sun  heat — not 
by  closing,  but  by  partially  closing  the  ventilators,  a  confined  atmo¬ 
sphere  causing  the  fruit  to  crack  or  become  mouldy. — Grower. 
