194 GARDEN PLANNING 



and rubbish which are certain to accumulate 

 at the bottom. 



The introduction of animal life is useful 

 in restraining undesirable vegetable growth, 

 water-snails particularly. Goldfish will do well 

 even under somewhat unfavourable conditions 

 of stagnation, and are equally useful for the 

 purpose. 



The matter-of-fact gardener may question 

 whether all this trouble is worth while for the 

 purpose of growing a few water plants. I 

 think it is. Indeed, the sight of only three or 

 four good, healthy water-lilies in flower in 

 one's own garden is sufficiently interesting 

 to constitute ample recompense for some small 

 initial trouble and outlay, and the enthusiastic 

 flower-lover will not grudge the subsequent 

 labour of tending them. 



I know one such person who grows a col- 

 lection of miniature nympheas in tubs sunk 

 in the ground with most gratifying success. 

 Where space is limited his example may be 

 followed. The best plan is to excavate a 

 deep hole, say twice the depth of the tub, 

 and to fill the bottom with rubble, so that when 

 the tub is bedded upon it the rim will stand 



