GARDENS NEAR THE SEA 



at East Hampton, there are opportunities for the culti- 

 vation of water-lilies, and also the wonderful lotuses, 

 since springs can be converted into lakes, and small 

 brooks and ponds can be treated to make ideal homes 

 for aquatic plants. Such work is not done success- 

 fully, however, unless the plants are given an unusually 

 rich mixture of manure and mold in which to sink 

 their roots; for water-lilies, as roses, require to draw 

 nourishment from the soil most greedily. At least a 

 foot of well-enriched soil should be laid as a layer over 

 the natural bottom of lakes or streams in which most 

 water-lilies and lotuses are expected to grow perma- 

 nently. The latter like some clay in the soil mixture 

 where they root, that they may be held firmly. 



Unless a glass house with suitable tanks is pro- 

 vided where tender varieties can be kept over the winter, 

 it is best to be content with growing the perfectly 

 hardy aquatics, among which, however, are many 

 very lovely water-lilies and the wonderful lotuses. 

 Although, when the cost of the practise is not heeded, 

 such tender varieties as the blue Zanzibars can be 

 bought every year, enjoyed throughout their season 

 of bloom, and then be allowed to perish when unable 

 to withstand the cold weather. In most places, 

 however, where extraordinary effects are not courted, 

 the hardy varieties of pond-lilies can be relied on to 

 embellish many sheets of fresh water near seaside 

 homes. 



The lotus Nelumbium speciosum, the flower of 

 ancient impressive history, grows prodigiously when 

 given space and opportunity. It is even necessary 



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