IK >MES NEAR TO NATURE 



497 



'THE PATHS. 



WERE BORDERED WTIII RIG CLUMPS OF PERENNIAL FLOWERS.' 



with the picturesque home in the back- 

 ground, form a combination of beaut} 

 and of real satisfaction unequalled else- 

 where. The home is literally close to 

 nature. Its possessors have had ad- 

 mirable training for the appreciation 

 of aquatic values and of picturesque, 

 uncultivated nature, because for several 

 years they made their summer home 

 in a house boat in the wild part of tiie 

 river valley of the St. Lawrence. Per- 

 haps this fact increased their inspira- 

 tion, by teaching them how to get the 

 good things of water and of earth. 



It seems strange that the lotus is so 

 rarely cultivated. I had always sup- 

 posed that it is extremely difficult to 

 raise and was surprised to learn that 

 this entire growth originated from two 

 plants put in a half barrel filled with 

 earth, well rotted leaves and manure. 

 and submerged under water from four 

 to five feet in depth. The pond is fed 

 by springs though the water is never 

 actually cold. It must be admitted that 

 the pond is thus rather exceptional and 

 is especially favorable to the growth 

 of the lotus. 



\ CAMERA STUDY AMONG THE HOLLYHOCKS. 



