Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-08
beyond this hedge are other lots that are

beyond this hedge are other lots that are
now as this one was.
IL is too late, OF course, 10 have water
garden cut OF doors this year. but IL Is
none too early TO plan for one for next
summers enjoyment. IL 1t cannot be
more than a butter-tub sunk In the
ground for water lilies to grow In, or
half a beer barrel set upon stakes FOR
the dropping fronds Of the parrot feather,
there should be a water garden wherever
there is room to spare for Il.
IL Is only half a century that the civil
lied world has known OF the Victoria
regia, and until within Ave years II was
still a curiosity that people made long
journeys 10 see. And yet within month
there have been a dozen or so Of blooms
in the pond at Riverton, and they still
continue 10 come.
No other plant has created such a
sensation; no other Is so curious or so
trimming over with surprises. When to-
ward evening one watches the bud as 1t
expands to full bloom and breathes the
whiffs OF fragrance 1t emits with each
effort Of the petals to unfold themselves,
and beside II the great expanse OF leaf
so beautifully enamelled with green within
and lattlced with green and crimson
without, the great lungs through which
the blood has come to the influence OF the
light and air. one almost inyoluntarlly
repeats the verdict rendered at the end
Of the beglnning-"and God saw every
thing that ne had made and behold II
was very good"
The leaves of the Victoria regia are very
curious in their structure. At Shaws
Garden, St Louis. one sustained the
weight OF lady OF 225 pounds. This leaf
was about seventy inches across. and had
a rim OF seven inches deep. The plant
was then about three months old. This
leaf, aside from It's rare and curious
beauty. Is wonderful in it's contrivances.
In South America, where IL is at home,
the streams il IL In and their banks are
alive with aligators and yenomous rep
tiles, and these great lily pads give the
only sure harbor for man or beast.
Examination of the structure shows the
admirable adaptation. In the under side
are great tubes with smaller branching
tubes giving framework OF air pipes.
This serves 10 keep the leaf afioat and
10 sustain the heavy weight. But, more
than this. each tube and every portion OF
the under surface is thiclKly covered with
long and short stout prickles. protecting
the fibre Of the leaf and whatever IS
upon the surface However tempting
might be the morsel above. no creature
would brave this formidable armament
Of spikes 10 secure IT, The upturned edge
IL undoubtedly TO preserve the leaf from
fishes, for whenever this Is broken or
injured the water enters and fermenta-
ton process begins. and the leaf quickly
becomes a rotting mass. Mr.. William
Thicker, superintendent Of the water gar
dens at the III. a. Dreer place. at River
ton, n. j., and to whom Americans are
Indebted az 10 no other individual for
knowledge Of water plants, says this rim
also serves 10 steady and preserve the
leaf in wind-storms.
When In severe gales the pads Of water
lilies are thrashed about and broken, the
great plates OF the Victoria remain solid
and almost immovable, serving almost TO
keep the waters calm even In the face
OF the tempest. AT most they are only
lifted by the waves, and If in dropping
back the waves splash over into them,
the edges are never under water. as the
notches at either side will let the surplus
water out and what remains only serves
to steady IT,
The flower is peculiar and interesting.
From the time the tip Of the bud appears
above the water until IL opens the growth
is very rapid. The odor is strongest as
the bud is opening and comes in pufts.
Like other OF the water lilies, IL lasts
only for three days. is one day In open
ing, one day in perfection, and one day
I'm closing