WATER-LILIES 163 



are quite contented with eighteen inches. But if a 

 vigorous kind is planted too shallow, as it insists on 

 having stalks of normal length, both leaves and flowers 

 become unduly spread. It will probably be found 

 that growth in tanks will prove to be the more certain 

 method of controlling the plants, for in some cases 

 when the roots are in a restricted space and can be 

 given a special soil of good loam the flowers are much 

 more abundant. The rich natural mud of the ponds 

 no doubt varies much in its nature, for whereas in one 

 pond a Lily will flower abundantly, the same plant in 

 another is found to run to a large mass of vigorous 

 foliage, and to give very little bloom. This seems to 

 point to the advantage of the tank. 



The roots are generally planted in ponds by sinking 

 an old basket containing the root, planted in good 

 strong loam, a soil that all Water-Lilies delight in. 

 The larger Lilies, such as the Marliacea hybrids, which 

 owe their origin to the strong-growing American kinds, 

 will do in fairly deep water, such as a depth of four 

 feet or even more ; while the smallest, N. pygmaa and 

 its pretty yellow variety Helvola, of M. Marliac's 

 raising, will do in a few inches. This little gem, with 

 its neat marbled leaves and abundance of bloom, is 

 the best of Water-Lilies for a tub. 



The accompanying lists show which species and 

 varieties, as at present known, are most suitable for 

 the various uses : 



