NYMPELEA 



NYMPH^A 



1103 



phaeas, succeed best when grown, as near as possible, 

 tinder their existing natural conditions; these are a rich 

 alluvial soil in abundance, water, and clear uninter- 

 rupted sunlight. Where natural ponds exist these con- 

 ditions are found, but often there is a deficiency of light, 

 caused by shade trees. Let the trees remain, but select 

 open spots for the Nymphaeas. They maj* be planted on 

 the margins of sluggish streams, in bays and sheltered 

 nooks. 



Construction of Artificial Ponds, etc. 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 



The pond should be 2 to 2% feet in depth. The soil 

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

 composted with cow manure in proportion of one-third. 

 This should be prepared six months, at least, before 

 planting time. This soil is suitable for all aquatic 

 plants. In any case, when filling the boxes or placing 

 the soil in bottom of pond, tread moderately firm and 

 cover with an inch of sand. 



The water may be spring water, rain water or that 

 from any available source. The clearest spring water 

 will soon turn green from exposure to the sun and air, 

 but after fermentation settles clear. Do not place the 

 plants in a newly constructed pond or basin immediately 

 after it is finished, as the caustic property of the cement 

 will injure the plants. Let the water stand a few days, 

 or if the basin is small, the water may be changed. 

 Planting of the hardy varieties may be done in April 

 and May, according to the latitude and earliness or late- 



1498. Nymphaeas in an effective and natural setting. 



plants admirably. Artificial ponds are usually con- 

 structed in a conspicuous spot, where everything is 

 required to be well kept. In such situations it is neces- 

 sary occasionally to take off some dead leaves, or cut a 

 few choice flowers, and 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 muddy 

 deposit on the leaves that makes them very 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 Nymphaeas, since these may remain 

 two years undisturbed, although some of these are best 

 replanted every season. 



70 



ness of season. The conditions should be conducive to 

 active growth at once. Tropical Nymphaeas should not 

 be planted until there is evidence that summer has 

 come. Hardy Nymphaeas may be planted during spring 

 and summer; late planting is better than deferring till 

 next spring, as the plants tinder such conditions will 

 get established before autumn closes, and the plants 

 will start naturally in spring, receiving no check. 



The 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 

 cement, digging the pond the desired size, having slop- 

 ing sides and afterward lining the same with concrete 

 and finishing with a facing of cement. However, such a 

 pond will not stand the effects of hard freezing weather 

 even if protected ; and what is worse, the new or freshly 

 removed soil will settle during the season, and the pond 

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



