CHAPTER VI 



WATER GARDENS 



A NEW phase of gardening has sprung up since 

 the introduction of the beautiful hybrids for which 

 we are mainly indebted to M. Latour-Marliac, of 

 water-lily fame. Not that England can boast any 

 more now than heretofore of lakes and pools and 

 wimpling streams, some of which grew lilies on 

 their own account long before pink and blue and 

 pale yellow species and hybrids hardy enough to 

 grace such natural waters were ever dreamed of. 

 But our hopes and wishes have, of late, been 

 turned in the direction of water gardens, and even 

 when householders have to depend upon pipes 

 laid down from the main for their water supply, 

 heaven and earth are moved to devise means 

 whereby a tank of some kind can be constructed 

 in the garden to do duty as a lily pool. 



It is scarcely to be wondered at, perhaps, for 

 water in itself has a powerful magnetic attraction, 

 and water lilies are well nigh irresistible, however 

 the element in which alone they can exist may be 

 attained. 



To set a just value on lake or spring, one must 

 needs have lived on high ground, on the utmost 

 reach, it may be, of bleak chalk downs, where a 



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