HOMES NEAR TO XATl'RE 



499 



A -PRACTICAL" SUGGESTION— A PLACE FOR BURNING LEAVES AND DEBRIS. 



drought. The plants are so vigorous 

 and luxurious after a test of six years 

 that they bid fair to fill the pond unless 

 their energies are checked. 



Remembering that several years ago 

 I saw the lotus, then regarded as a 

 curiosity, in Central Park, New York 

 City, I wrote for information to Mr. 

 Beatty, Superintendent of Parks of 

 Manhattan and Richmond. He replied 

 as follows : 



"About twenty years ago the lake 

 at noth Street, in Central Park, had a 

 large plantation of lotus, which was 

 rooted out and destroyed because it 

 had spread to such porportions that it 

 threatened to cover the entire lake 

 and prevent its use for boating. Since 

 that time lotus plants in the parks 

 have been confined to a few specimens 

 in the lily-boxes, placed in the foun- 

 tains throughout the parks. These 

 have gradually died off and have not 

 been replaced. 



"One of the gardeners, who has had 

 experience in the care of the lotus, 

 states that this plant requires but little 

 care. The best method of planting is 

 to plant in a box eighteen inches to 

 two feet in depth and, as to the other 

 dimensions, large enough to permit of 

 the box being taken up at the close of 

 the season and stored in a dry, tem- 

 perate place for the winter. This is 



in order to avoid disturbing the roots, 

 which are large, fleshy and very brittle 

 and are, therefore, easily broken." 



I am informed that the plants are 

 obtainable from several well-known 

 dealers in seeds and plants. Henry A. 

 Dreer, Inc., Philadelphia write that they 

 can supply the roots of the lotus in early 

 May, and that they have them in several 

 colors. 



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THE PECULIAR CENTER OF THE LOTUS. 



