NYMPH.EA 



pha>as, succeed best when grown, as near as possible, 

 under their existing natural conditions; these are a rich 

 alluvial soil in abundance, water, and clear uninter- 

 rupted sunlight. Where natural [...imIs .xi-t tli.-se con- 

 ditions are found, but often then- N ;i d.li. i. m v i.f light, 

 caused by shade trees. Let thi- tr. . - iminn. imt select 

 open spots for the Nymphaeas. 'I'lic y uku !..■ i.laiited on 

 the margins of sluggish streams, in bays uuil .■sheltered 



Construction of Artificial Ponds, cfc. -Where artifi- 

 cial ponds are resorted to, the most satisfactory method 

 is to build solid walls of masonry, with a concrete bot- 

 tom, provided with an outlet and overflow. In all cases 

 make the pond as large as existing means will allow, 

 not for a moment considering it possible to be too large. 

 One method of providing for the sustenance of these 

 plants is to place a layer of soil in the bottom of the 

 pond from 9-12 or more inches deep. This will suit the 



NYMPH^A 



1103 



The pond should be 2 to 2]4 feet in depth. The soil 

 should be a strong loam, the top-soil from a pasture 

 composted with cow manure iu proportion of one-third. 

 This should be i.i-cpar. .1 six iij.njilis, al l.iivt, L.ton; 

 planting time, 'riii- --il i- ■uii:iM. r..r all ;H)ua(ic 

 plants. In any ca-. . \v li. II rilhn-ili. I...-,.- ,r |.la.aii„' 

 the soil in bottom i.t [..>hil. n. ad aioiirtahh linn and 

 cover with an in-'li •■<' m-l. 



•' ! I 1111,^ watir, rain water or that 



I . 'I'Im- i-learest spring water 



I 'lit txi'osiiia' to the sun and air, 



. - nil- I li ar. Do not place the 



' ' I Ml- 1 1 i| i-'^ii 1 III l>a~iii immediately 



I ■ " ' ' .mI a few days, 



ording to the latitude and earliness 









1498. Nymphsas in an effective and natural setting. 



plants ailniiialilv Artificial ponds are usually con- 

 stnii-ti li ill I . iiMiii nous spot, where everything is 

 reqiiii' 1 '" In ;.. |it. In such situations it is neces- 



sary i like off some dead leaves, or cut a 



few ill. ]. . 1] ... I iiid if they cannot be reached from 

 the edge of the pond, the attendant must wade in after 

 them. The result is that the water, which should always 

 be clear, is muddy, and when it settles there is a muddv 

 deposit on the leaves that makes them verv unsightly. 

 Moreover, this treading in the soft soil breaks numer- 

 ous roots. To avoid these and other attendant evils 

 place the soil in boxes from 3-4 feet square, and 1 

 foot deep, and in these plant one single plant of the 

 vigorous and moderate growers, allowing ample space 

 between the boxes. One plant of any tropical Water 

 Lily grown in such a box will require from 50 to 100 

 square feet of water surface, as will also the strong va- 

 rieties of hardy Nymphieas, since these may remain 

 two years undisturbed, although some of these are best 

 replanted every season. 



ness of season. The conditions should be conducive to 

 active growth at once. Tropical Nymph»as should not 

 be planted until there is evidence that summer has 

 come. Hardy Nympha?as may be planted during spring 

 and summer; late planting is better than deferring till 

 ni-xt spring, as the plants under such conditions will 

 <,'it . srablished before autumn closes, and the plants 

 will start naturally in spring, receiving no check. 



Till' above method of construction and cultivation is to 

 be commended, but other methods are adopted with a 

 fair amount of success, but with attendant evils which 

 are discouraging and at times very annoying and costly. 

 Tanks or artificial ponds may be constructed with 

 fr.m.Mf .|i._'._-inii- the pond the desired size, having slop- 

 11 ■'■' II ittfrward lining the same with concrete 

 a 111 a facing of cement. However, such a 



I I I II iiiid the effects of hard freezing weather 



.'ill i! pr-.i .lid; and what is worse, the new or freshly 

 riniuveii s,,ii will settle during the season, and the pond 

 is very apt to spring a-leak. Some morning the pond is 



