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below the surface of the ground. In winter a sheet of glass is placed over the tub, and the foot or 18 inches packed full of straw rubbish. In May the straw is taken out, but the glass left on until the growth of the plants necessitates its removal.-ED.]

NOTES ON THE NEWER OR LESSER KNOWN WATER-LILIES.

By Mr. JAMES HUDSON, V.M.H.

I Do not suppose anyone has ever ventured to find fault with the common white Water-lily from the point of criticism as regards its charms, but, on the contrary, all must have been compelled to admire its purity and beauty. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of what we term "Wild Flowers." For a long period, however, it stood alone in its colour, and of hardy varieties with coloured or tinted flowers we had but a very few. Now we have other white varieties under cultivation, and the coloured ones are fast increasing. I am under the impression that the coloured varieties, even when first heard of, were looked upon as being too tender to be grown in our ponds and streams. Such, for instance, as N. alba-rosea, N. odorata, and its form N. odorata rubra, which is known as the Cape Cod Water-lily and N. tuberosa. The opinion which prevailed was undoubtedly that of questionable hardihood; hence their culture did not extend as it should have done. Such impressions as these are, however, now being fast dispelled; yet there remain some even still who do not realise that these lovely Lilies are really as hardy as our own white variety. I cannot exactly say when N. alba-rosea first came under notice; but I recollect now some few years back having read a notice of it in the gardening press. This was, as it were, the starting point in my case, and I long desired to possess a plant; but the price when it was first put into circulation was prohibitive. In course of time, by the kindness and generosity of the Kew authorities, I obtained a young plant, and also one of N. tuberosa. Then when later on a coloured plate or two was issued through The Garden my enthusiasm was increased, and finding, as I had done, that N. alba-rosea was quite hardy, I ventured to add twelve other varieties, or forms, as a further

test. These were N. Marliacea candida, N. Marliacea rosea, N. Marliacea carnea, N. Marliacea chromatella, N. odorata rubra, N. odorata rosacea, N. odorata exquisita, N. odorata sulphurea, N. odorata sulphurea grandiflora, N. Laydekeri rosea, N. pygmæa helvola, and N. flava. Of these I only lost the lastnamed variety, which comes from Florida; hence it is not sufficiently hardy. This was in the spring (about the middle of April) of 1894. The winter following, which was a most severe one, soon afforded me a sufficient test of their hardihood, except in the one instance already alluded to. Our lowest record that winter was, I think, 26 deg. of frost; and as the Lilies, by reason of being small, were as yet in shallow water, the ice must have almost reached their crowns. The following spring the eleven all started into growth with increased vigour, and by the autumn were strong plants with occasional flowers. In the spring of 1896, owing to the satisfactory growth during the previous year, I resolved to give them more room, and proceeded to lift them during April. To my surprise they had rooted so strongly as to require three pairs of hands to remove the largest ones with all the roots that could be secured with each stool. In the case of the strongest plants the roots were as large as one's fingers, and they had taken a firm hold of the bottom of the lake. I might mention here that when I first planted them in 1894 I only used medium to large-sized Strawberry punnets in which to plant them previously to putting them into the water. This instance is some indication of how they will thrive when in congenial quarters. But very little, if any, check was noticeable in the growth during that spring (viz. 1896), and by the summer they were again rapidly increasing in size and vigour; whilst, as regards flowering, there was a marked improvement both in their freedom and in the size of the individual blossoms. Since that removal I have not again touched these plants, save to take away a few offshoots. During last summer (i.e. 1897) there was again a marked improvement manifest in the growth and also in the larger size of the flowers, as well as in their freedom in producing them. This past spring they all again started away very freely, and in every case promised well.

I have explained the treatment as regards removal, &c., of these varieties; and I might add that I shall continue to adopt

the same practice with other varieties since added to our collection as may be found necessary. I think at first when introducing these Water-lilies to any lake it is better to keep them fairly close together. Thus they are more immediately under personal observation, and if needful it is easier to protect them from injury by water-fowl or other enemies. In the removal alluded to I placed each stool into a round basket, such as plants are packed in for transit. These suit the purpose admirably, as the soil added is retained in close contact with the roots. If merely dropped into the water there would be the possible chance of the soil being washed away from the roots, and this is not desirable. Our plan is to prepare the soil as for plants in pots. We use fairly good loam and decomposed leaf-soil, with old mushroom-bed manure (cow-manure would possibly be better). Some road grit is added, and a rather free use is made of bonemeal, which we find suits them very well. Each plant in this way can be well covered with soil and its roots protected; afterwards, in due course, the roots will extend and the plants settle down firmly. The advantage even then is apparent of placing them in baskets, as the crowns are well elevated above the bottom of the lake, being thereby easier to remove or for the taking off of side growths for extension of stock. Should it be found that any one variety needs to be in deeper water, or vice versa, it is easier to remove them, during the first season at least.

After my experience of the first winter, although I only lost the one variety (N. flava), and that a comparatively tender one, I deemed it advisable, as a little precaution, to afford a small degree of protection. Most of us, no doubt, have noted that the ice is often thinner, and not so safe for skating, where rushes are growing. Itook the hint from this, and during the following winters (except the last one, when no such precaution was needed) I have cut the tops of Typha latifolia (the large Reed Mace, erroneously called the Bullrush) off close to the ice, and then placed them over the crowns for the time being. This was done as soon as the ice was safe enough to bear. It also served a double purpose, as no skating over the crowns was then possible with the prospect of an immersion upon them. This simple protection serves the purpose well of preventing the ice from thickening so much as where exposed. Long litter will, of

course, serve the same purpose, but it does not look so well. When a thaw sets in the protection is removed by the use of a rake before the ice disappears. During the last two winters and springs I have noted that some of the varieties have retained their foliage partially through those seasons. The undeveloped flower-buds even of some have kept their heads above water all the winter. Those showing these tendencies the most were the varieties of N. Marliacea and N. odorata sulphurea, as well as its larger form. Even our London fogs did not appear to have much effect upon what was above water (below water the dense deposit of soot would no doubt be an advantage when absorbed).

POSITION.

The spot chosen for Water-lilies should not be shaded by trees so as to affect the growth. In these places the water is relatively cooler at times. I noted this in adding two varieties in the spring of 1897, which, for want of a better place at the time, were put too much under the shade of a copper beech. I can plainly see that they will have to be moved to a more open position, as no satisfactory increase in vigour is evident. An open, sunny place, where the water is warmed during the day, is the best choice, and if not too far away from the land it will be all the better, so as to be able to remove any sticks or other floating matter, as weeds, without in every case having to enter the water. (When this is done we use long waterproof wading boots, which for cutting the blooms are a great convenience.) The smaller varieties, too, are seen to better advantage when nearer the sides, where they can be looked down upon. We make thus far three various grades of our varieties: the robust growers for the deepest water needed, which would be from 18 inches to 2 feet to the top of the crowns; the smallest kinds have about 8 inches of water over them, and the medium growers from 1 foot to 15 inches. I do not think it is necessary, nor do I deem it advisable, to place them in deeper water than just quoted for each class of plant.

I have no doubt whatever that a pond with a muddy bottom, say, as an instance, a foot or so deep, with a rich deposit of decaying vegetation, would be congenial to them. however, this does not occur at such a depth. 3 inches or 4 inches of mud, but not much more where our Lilies

In our case, There may be

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are growing; yet they thrive well, and hence we may conclude that a great depth of mud is not essential. There is, as a matter of course, an amount of leaves which fall on the water and after a time sink these frequently blow to the sides, and are often deposited in the right place to assist the plants in our case. I have not had an opportunity of testing these Lilies in running water, nor should I choose such a spot for them. Our lake is nearly always at one level, or close upon it, with a regular supply by means of a spring. The water from this source is deemed "hard," but the exposure and admixture ere it reaches the plants no doubt prevent any harm being done. I have an idea that water strongly impregnated with lime, or that from springs on the chalk, would not be so suitable; but of this I have not so far had an opportunity of making any experiments. From what I observed, however, in one case the leaves were considerably marked, and the flowers too, by a chalky deposit. I have only so far heard of one direct or even partial failure, and that I cannot explain. I am under the impression that it was owing to the running water, not far from which there is, I believe, a mill; but for what purpose it is used I do not know; it is, however, possible that some floating matter may have had deleterious effects. I believe that Monsieur Latour-Marliac, to whom we are greatly indebted for so many fine hybrid Water-lilies, is located in a favoured spot, where springs abound from which issues forth warm water. If this be so it should be a great assistance in hastening on the growth from the seedling stage to the flowering plant. I believe, too, that M. Marliac grows a good number in tubs. This may, however, be only for the greater convenience of propagation and after removal. That they may be cultivated in this manner, however, in this country has been clearly demonstrated at Burford Lodge, Dorking, where Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., has a good collection under the care of Mr. Bain. I believe that the tubs are protected sufficiently during the winter, to prevent the water from freezing, by means of litter or leaves. If not in such a natural style as one would prefer, there is at least one merit in the tub culture, viz. that of an easy inspection. In one garden in North Wales with which I am acquainted, viz. The Plas, Tan-y-Bwlch, a start has been made by Mr. Roberts, gardener to W. E. Oakeley, Esq. This has been done by forming an entirely new pond for their special culture; and as this is well

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