1 68 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



and a very pretty effect may be obtained by piling 

 rough stones around the tank. Fill in with earth and 

 cover with vines and plants suitable for a rockery. 

 If a tall Bamboo, or even a fine clump of Papyrus or 

 Umbrella-plant can be grown on the north side, so as 

 to overtop the tank without shutting off the sunshine, 

 it will add much to the general effect. The Lily pond 

 should have full sunshine, but be protected from 

 rough winds, as the leaves of large Lilies that stand 

 well above the water are easily injured. The Egyp- 

 tian Lotus is the finest of all Lilies suitable for grow- 

 ing in small ponds or tanks. These plants should be 

 purchased from growers, as they do not seed in this 

 country and the imported seed is uncertain. One 

 plant is sufficient for a tub or tank, as they increase 

 very rapidly and do better when not crowded. 



One of these Lilies may be placed in the centre of 

 a small pond of ten feet or more, and other Lilies 

 grouped around the sides. Hardy Nymphaeas may 

 be planted in the soil of the pond, while the more 

 tender Zanzibarenses should be planted in twelve- 

 inch pots and plunged in the tank, as these are not 

 hardy like the Nelumbiums, to which class the Lotus 

 belongs. Both the Egyptian and the American Lotus 

 are quite hardy in the open ground with a protection 

 of rough litter and boards. An interesting peculiarity 

 of the Lotus, by which it may be distinguished from 

 other Lilies when quite small or out of bloom, is that 

 water splashed on the leaves always rolls up into little 



