1898.] ESSAYS. 117 



shallow it will heat rapidly, but as the plants grow the depth of 

 water should be gradually increased until 18 inches is reached, 

 for some varieties require this amount while others need but 

 a foot. 



It is a curious fact that whatever may be the depth of water, the 

 leaves will iloat and the stems seem to be just the right length, 

 be it six or sixteen inches. In a natural pond a clay bottom is 

 desirable and the soil necessary to grow the plants in should be 

 very rich. If it is to be made it should consist of good turfy 

 loam two parts and old cow manure one part. If the latter is not 

 available sheep manure may be substituted ; but instead of the 

 above proportion it should be one of the sheep manure to six or 

 eight parts loam. 



Bone flour can be used in addition, a four or tive inch potful 

 to a vigorous growing variety and less for smaller ones. It is 

 generally conceded that more flowers are obtained from Lilies 

 by planting them in large boxes or one-half barrels and then 

 placing them in the pond so that the proper height of water will 

 be above them, than by planting them out in the bottom of the 

 pond. 



The strong growing varieties of lilies require about six cubic 

 feet of soil, the moderate ones about three cubic feet, while 

 the Nelumbium or Lotus requires about twelve cubic feet per 

 plant. In order to keep the water clear in the pond it is neces- 

 sary to put two inches of coarse sand or gravel over the surface 

 of the soil. 



To make an artificial pond, the shape should be the most 

 natural for the position it occupies. If it can have receding 

 ba3's and jutting rocky points so much the better. Mr. Olm- 

 stead, in an address delivered last summer on the purposes of a 

 park, said, " The water surfaces of a park need more study and 

 care to make them appear natural in outline as to their margins 

 than do the ground surfaces of a park." 



Having decided on the shape, it should be staked out and ex- 

 cavated so as to be three feet deep in the centre when done, 

 running up towards the shore, where one foot will be deep 

 enough. The shape will give various depths as required by dif- 



