A MEADOW MUD-HOLE. j6i 



A treasure in other lands, why should it not be 

 in ours ? If he who causes two blades of grass 

 to grow where but one grew before is a public 

 benefactor, so he who adds the lotus to our 

 meadows must likewise be so accounted. " A 

 piece of color is as useful as a piece of bread." 



With the blooming lotus within reach, let us 

 come now to a few plain statistics. In the little 

 mill-pond it has been exposed to precisely the 

 same conditions as the native plants, and now 

 flourishes in absolute perfection. Mingled with 

 the fully expanded blossoms may always be seen 

 the buds in every stage of growth, and this from 

 early summer until frost. Happily there is not, 

 as is so often the case, a magnificent but brief 

 display, then nothing but leaves. If not a joy 

 forever, it is at least one of a protracted sea- 

 son. Buds or blossoms, they are alike beautiful. 

 Among many that are pale yet distinctively tinted 

 there often stands out one or more with the 

 loosening petals tipped with deepest crimson. 

 Far more are like gigantic tea-rose buds, that 

 soon open like a tulip, creamy white and rosy at 

 the tips. Often these glorious flowers measure 

 ten inches across when fully open, and are sup- 

 ported by stems extending far beyond the tallest 

 leaves. One such that I measured was more 

 than eight feet high. 



When the flower is fully expanded, the huge 



