WATER IN THE GARDEN 



net at the orifice to keep the goldfish from going 

 through, and the vegetable refuse from choking 

 it at the traps or bends. If cement, mortar, as- 

 phalt, paint, stains or other artificial substances 

 are used in the lining of the basin, the water 

 should stand for a week, with frequent changes, 

 before fish or plants are introduced. And while 

 a fountain adds to the appearance of life and cer- 

 tainly to the beauty of a water-garden, it will 

 imperil the vegetation if it is fed from a very 

 cold spring, like many that we find among the 

 mountains. Pond life is partial to warm, quiet 

 water. For this reason, too, it is best to delay 

 planting under water till summer has fairly set 

 in, and the nympheas, or pond-lilies, may then 

 be placed in the bottom soil, or packed into a 

 sunken box filled with old manure, old turf and 

 earth. The advantage of using a box, which 

 should be a yard square and a foot deep, is that 

 it can be removed when cold weather begins, for 

 so soon as the green is gone and the supply-pipe 

 is plugged for the winter, the box becomes un- 

 sightly. After planting, the water is to be gently 

 admitted, the surface rising by slow advances, 

 about a foot in a week, so as to disturb the plants 

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