CHAPTER III. 



SOIL. 



NOT A FEW wlio have attempted, or contemplate, growing aquatics over- 

 look the great need — absolute necessity — of a very rich soil, and plenty 

 of it, to have these plants grow successfully. The fact is, this is of more 

 importance than water, for, saving a few floating species, plants cannot grow 

 in water only, and not infrequently during the drouth of summer is the native 

 Pond Lily, Nymphasa odorata, to be seen high and dry, the water having 

 receded; and when grown in tubs, and often in natural and artificial ponds, 

 when over-crowded, the leaves will stand out above the water. While most 

 aquatics will flourish in a soft, muddy soil (as is to be found in most ponds from 

 an accumulation of humus, decayed vegetable matter, and dead leaves), it is 

 not advisable to select such soil for the artificial cultivation of the plants. 



The best selection would be good turfy loam, from sods cut from a pasture 

 and laid in a pile, adding one-third to one-half well rotted cow manure, stable, 

 or farmyard manure, where a liberal admixture of cow manure is assured, or 

 old hotbed manure, whichever is available. The fall is the best time to stack 

 soil, and it should be kept dry. If no shed be convenient, cover the pile with 

 boards, or some arrangement for throwing off water. Where ponds are to be 

 planted in spring, and as late as May, a pile may be made a few weeks before 

 needed. After it has lain three or four weeks, the whole should be turned, chop- 

 ping it down so as to cut the fibre mass and thoroughly incorporate the manure. 



In filling tubs or boxes for planting, use all the rough pieces of sods, 

 throwing away nothing but stones, or such hard substances as will not rot. 

 Where good barnyard manure is obtainable, it is unnecessary to use artificial 

 manure, such as bone dust or horn shavings, but where there is a deficiency, 

 such may be used with advantage — say one six-inch pot full to a barrow load 

 of soil. Another good fertilizer is sheep manure. This is much stronger 



