SECRETAKY'S PORTFOLIO. SCO 



A TUB OF LILIES. 



Those who acliiiire our beautiful water-lily — Kymnhcea odorata — and cannot 

 liavc a pond will find that much enjoyment may be had from an old wash-tub 

 arranged after the following plan : A^o matter how warped or rough the tub is 

 so it will hold water securely; a barrel sawed in half will do, though not 

 convenient to move without handles. Set the tub up a little ways from the 

 ground on bricks or blocks to preserve the wood, half 1111 it with rich garden soil, 

 in this imbed the root, one is enough for a tub; fill carefully Avitli rain water 

 so as not to wash holes in the soil; more water must be supplied when needed, 

 to restore that lost by evaporation. Some of the common duckweed or any 

 other small water plant aud some minnows in the water, would aid in keeping 

 it fresh until the lilies became established. 



The birds are partial to this miniature pond, and if it is not guarded, will 

 appropriate it for their morning bath — pecking and breaking the lily leaves. 

 To exclude them take some shingles, saw them once in two cross ways, split 

 the pieces into strips about an inch wide and tack them around the tub with 

 brads, putting two brads into each strip; this forms a paling sufficiently firm 

 and high to keep the birds oli the edge of the tub and but few will have 

 courage to fly down inside of it. The flowers of this lily are usually pure 

 white, fragrant and semi-double; they open only in the forenoon and each 

 flower opens for three successive mornings, it then closes and then sinks below 

 the surface of the water to mature the seed. The plant remains in bloom 

 from June to September. The roots if not obtainable from some neighboring 

 waters may be found at most any of our reliable florists. It is probably too 

 late to have the lilies if planted now" bloom this summer, but preparations may 

 be made for an early start next spring. In the fall when freezing weatlier 

 begins the water in the tub must be allowed to dry down to the soil, the tub 

 can then be moved to a cool, dark cellar, where the plants will keep perfectly 

 through the winter. — J. M. M. in JSf, Y. Tribune. 



June, 1879. 



PLANTS IX THE HOUSE. 



SMILAX. 



Smilax is an exceedinsflv 2:raceful vine, with sflossv, o-recn-ribbed leaves, and 

 is now more extensively used than any other plant for decorating parlors, the 

 hair, and for trimming dresses. With a little care it can be grown success- 

 fully as a house-plant. The vine does not require the full sun, but will grow 

 well in a partially shaded situation. It can be trained on a small thread 

 across the window or around the pictures. Grown from both seeds and bulbs. 

 Pot the bulbs as soon as received, w^atering but little until you see signs of 

 growth. They grow very rapidly, and should always have strings to twine on. 

 Give plent}' of fresh air, but be careful and not let a direct draft of cold air 



47 . 



