WATER FLOWERS 247 



motion is made. A small stream allowed only 

 to trickle in at the edge, is the proper way to 

 bring the water level up when this has been low- 

 ered through evaporation. And of course this 

 makes it apparent that even the most gently 

 playing fountain is not to be considered as a 

 proper place for them, though I have seen them 

 thrive where water merely overflowed not much 

 more than a drop at a time from a brimming 

 tazza in the middle of a pool. I would not ad- 

 vise even this much activity however, where ab- 

 solute certainty is desired. Absolutely still, 

 warm water under full sunlight is invariably the 

 best. 



The soil in which water-lilies are to be planted 

 may be anj/ good garden earth enriched with 

 one fifth its be Ik of well-decomposed manure, 

 preferably from cow stables; or with one quart 

 of bonemeal to each bushel of soil. Planting is 

 accomplished by simply pushing the root, which 

 is a rhizome, or elongated banana-like form, into 

 the soft mud-earth in a horizontal position and 

 deep enough just to cover the crown or growing 

 tip. To hold it in place until growth has started 

 a stone may be laid upon it; this should be 

 clear of the growing tip however. Of course 

 in practically every instance of planting in a 

 small pool or a pool of concrete, the roots are 



