LITTLE GARDENS 



saving of water In a city. Our towns are grow- 

 ing so large that the supplying of necessities to 

 them Is becoming a serious problem. Hence, It 

 Is not possible to have reservoirs In a yard where 

 the water shall flow constantly, and so surely as It 

 stagnates, so surely will the mosquito lay her 

 eggs upon It, wigglers will develop, and for the 

 rest of the summer you will visit your garden 

 only In gloves and veils, or under cover of a 

 smudge that will destroy all the sweetness of the 

 flowers. If you do live In one of those rare 

 towns that have water enough, and clear water, 

 and can afford to change It once or twice a day 

 — for It won't do to kill the mosquito larvae by 

 oiling it, on account of the odor and look of It 

 afterward — It Is best to place the pit or tank at 

 the back of the yard. A cement reservoir ten 

 feet across, three feet deep, with a curb raised a 

 foot above the ground is ample, but half of a 

 hogshead, sunk In the earth, will cost much 

 less, though In each case you have to meditate 

 upon the necessity of engaging a plumber. In 

 this aquatic garden you may raise papyrus, lotus, 

 water-hyacinth, and water-lily, and It has one 

 advantage over the flower-bed in that you do 

 74 



