66 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



tank water becomes green, but it soon clears itself, and if a 

 little of the green conferva which grows is left it remains pure 

 and clear. I find it better, however, to fill with fresh water in 

 spring, after the frost has gone. 



" For a tank of six feet by six feet I should not have more 

 than two plants, except of the Pygmaea section, or such as 

 Laydekeri rosea. My larger tank is about nine feet by seven 

 feet, and I find that three Water-lilies are too many for it. 

 I purpose keeping in it in future only N. Marliacea carnea and 

 N. M. albida. 



" May I also suggest that those with only small tanks should 

 be careful in the selection of plants for the margins. Every 

 ray of sun is valuable if we want to have the best results, and 

 planting tall plants on the margin inevitably causes shade 

 where the tanks are so small. Gunneras, Irises, Spiraeas, and 

 other plants of similar size should be planted a little from the 

 margin, leaving the latter for such plants as Primula rosea and 

 others of low growth. 



" In a tank such as that referred to nothing should be 

 grown but the Water-lilies. Other things may do very well 

 for a year or two, but there is not space enough for all, and 

 the Water-lilies would eventually suffer. Even with these 

 limitations, a Water-lily tank of small size adds much to the 

 pleasures of a garden/' 



DAHLIAS 



There are many groups of Dahlias, as the following selec- 

 tion of varieties will show, but probably the Cactus kinds are 

 more thought of than any other, their strangely picturesque 

 form, brilliant and varied colouring, and usefulness for cut- 

 ting, bringing them into greater prominence than the more 

 formal " show," or so-called " decorative " kinds. Each year 

 many beautiful additions are made to the Cactus Dahlias, and 

 gradually an unpardonable blemish in their character is being 

 removed. The flowers of many handsome varieties hide 

 themselves amongst the leaves as if loth to appear in full 

 sunshine. Of course, the effect of the plant is that of leaf 

 with a glimmering of colour from the half-hidden flowers. 

 Raisers must try and remedy this defect. 



Culture. Dahlias delight in rich deep soil inclined to be 

 heavy rather than light and ample drainage is essential, be- 

 cause frequent waterings are necessary during drought. Never 

 plant in positions overhung by tall trees, or spindly growth 

 and few flowers will be the result. Get the plants out im- 



