124 GARDEN PLANNING AND PLANTING 



Selection of a position for water gardening are : Shelter from 

 high wind ; clay must not be used if the position is near forest trees ; 

 labour is saved by making the water garden where the ground is h'rm 

 and low-lying ; a certain part of the garden must be exposed to full 

 sunlight if the cultivation of Water Lilies is attempted. If a 

 natural water garden is not available, one of two methods is 

 generally employed in 



Making a pond or tank. Assuming that the sides and bottom 

 have been made as firm as possible, the whole area may be covered 

 with puddled clay to the depth of a foot ; or concrete may be used. 

 The depth of the latter may be varied, for small areas 4 to 6 inches 

 being sufficient ; for a large stretch of water a greater thickness must 

 be employed. The depth of the water should also be varied, so as to 

 accommodate a wide selection of plants. Unless the owner especially 

 wishes it deeper, 30 inches is quite deep enough for strong-growing 

 Water Lilies, and for small tanks a depth of 18 inches to 2 feet 

 is ample. In constructing a water garden an outlet must be pro- 

 vided, so that there is always a gradual flow of water, not apparent 

 to the casual observer, but just sufficient to keep the water from 

 becoming stagnant. There must also be a supply of fresh water, 

 natural or artificial. Soft water is the best for the plants, but unfor- 

 tunately is not always available. 



The soil for aquatic plants is the next consideration. ,In 

 natural ponds and lakes there is often plenty of rich mud available, 

 the plants being simply sunk in the water where it is of a suitable 

 depth, and kept in position on the bottom with a brick or large stone 

 till established. Shallow baskets or hampers are very convenient 

 things to use for clay or cement tanks. The best soil to use is 

 fibrous loam of a fairly heavy nature and cow manure. Large flower- 

 pots are also sometimes employed. In artificial water, where it is 

 quite easy to empty the tank, receptacles for the plants may be 

 formed of bricks or large stones, the Water Lilies and other aquatics 

 being planted in these previous to filling the tank with water. 

 In selecting plants for the water garden we naturally give first 

 place to 



Water Lilies or Nymphaeas, whether the lake is several 

 acres in extent or only a small pool in the suburban garden. The 

 colours of the flowers vary from pure white to rich crimson, and in- 

 clude yellow, pink, rose, etc. Half a dozen good sorts which may be 

 obtained at a reasonable price are alba plenissima, a large pure white 

 double variety of our native white Water Lily ; Robinsoni, violet 



