Iio"w to MaKe a AA^ater Garden 



LAST winter it was decided that 

 there should be a lily pond. Ac- 

 cordingly a suitable place was chosen 

 on the south side of a clump of trees. 



The Beginning of a Water Garden 



Adjacent grounds gradually sloped 

 down to it. The form of the pond was 

 laid out in what might be described as a 

 long oval, bent in the middle to the shape 

 of the clump of trees and a little smaller 

 at one end than the other. The total 

 length was about 150 feet and the aver- 

 age breadth about 20 feet. Digging 

 was commenced on April 23, and con- 

 tinued in the spare time that could be 

 taken from the usual spring garden 

 work, with some hours overtime also 

 put in. As the ground was uneven, it 

 was necessary to dig three feet in some 

 places and not more than two feet in 

 others; and the soil taken out was used 

 to fill up the surrounding depressions. 

 The digging was finished on May 14, 

 the labor costing about $60, paying 

 $1.50 a day, and 20c. an hour for over- 

 time. 



The city cement sidewalk gang were 

 then called in, and two and a half inch 

 drain tile was laid around the bottom, 

 outside edge, with several lines across 

 all grading to. one outlet. About 10 to 

 12 inches of coarse gravel, unscreened, 

 from the pit was then spread over the 

 whole bottom. Concrete sides were 

 built up and the floor laid, a flange for 

 outlet and overflow being let in at the 

 same time at the lowest point. A 

 three inch pipe, the height of the water 

 level wanted, is screwed into this flange 

 so that it can be taken out when the 

 pond is to be emptied. When finished, 

 the depth of the pond was 18 ins. in the 

 shallowest place and 21 ins. at the deep- 

 est. Tiles, gravel, concreting, etc., cost 

 about $500. 



The land around the pond was then 

 graded to the top of the concrete walls 



A. H. E.-wing, "WoodstocK, Ontario 



SO that the grass would grow right 

 down to the water's edge. This has a 

 much more natural appearance than if 

 the walls were raised above the land 

 level. Later, some rock 

 work was built along part 

 of the north side and 

 clumps of Eulalia planted, 

 considerably adding to the 

 beauty of the pond. 



Fourteen Nymphaeas, 

 water lily, four Nelumbi- 

 ums lotus, and six other ac- 

 quatics were ordered from 

 Dreer's, Philadelphia. 

 These arrived in due time 

 and were planted in boxes 

 four feet square and ten 

 inches high, early in June. 

 They were very small 

 plants and not much was 

 expected from them; but 

 contrary to expectations, 

 all] but one grew rapidly, 

 flowered well and were a 

 great source of interest 

 and admiration until the beginning of 

 October. 



The tender lilies, after having been 

 touched by frost, were taken into the 

 greenhouse with a good ball of mud 

 adhering to them, gradually dried, the 

 earth cleaned off by strong hosing and 

 the tubers stored in moist sand. The 

 Nelumbiums were similarlv treated. 



places, however, where there is silfficient 

 depth of water, the hardy liUes may 

 be left in their places all winter. It is 

 only necessary that their crowns be 

 below the ice. 



There is no reason why aquatics 

 should not be more grown by all lovers 

 of horticultural pursuits, even by those 

 who have only small gardens. A small 

 pond can easily be dug, and the bottom 

 and sides made water-tight with puddled 

 clay. Concrete is better, of course, 

 but more expensive and not essential. 

 No continuous supply of water is neces- 

 sary; merely filling up the evaporation 

 is all that is wanted. A good syringing 

 of the plants every evening will do that 

 and be beneficial at the same time. 



Lilies will not grow well where a 

 fountain is kept playing or where there 

 is a continual influx of cold water. 

 Some of the Nymphoeas and Nelum- 

 biums can be grown even in half barrels, 

 and will do well too, though, of course, 

 they will not have the natural look 

 about them that the pond-grown plants 

 have. There are many varieties of 

 Nymphoea, both hardy and tender, some 

 of them — one might say all of them — 

 are very beautiful; many shades of 

 red, from the palest pink to dark 

 crimson, several shades of blue, some 

 yellows and many whites of various 

 forms. Nelumbium speciosum, the best, 

 has large, round leaves standing out of 



Drainage is an Important Part of the Work 



The hardy lilies in their boxes were 

 later on pulled to the small end of the 

 pond, and the water drawn off. Stout 

 sticks were put across the pond from 

 side to side, corn stalks were crossed on 

 these again, and leaves were piled on to 

 the depth of two or three ft. This, it is 

 hoped, will keep out the frost. In 



the water with very large, pink flowers 

 and curiously formed seed pods. It 

 is a luxuriant grower and, if the roots 

 are not confined, will take possession 

 of the whole pond. Cyperus alterni- 

 folius, Cypress grass or umbrella plant, 

 grows well in the pond, partially sub- 

 merged. Papyrus antiquorum, some- 



