118 GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



of the window box, it would not be practicable to im- 

 merse it, nor is there the same necessity for doing so, as 

 the box is less exposed than the hanging basket, which is 

 suspended and surrounded by drying air upon all sides. 

 These remarks refer to window gardening outside of the 

 windows, or on the outer sill. If the boxes are placed 

 inside in winter, which they may be, the treatment rec- 

 ommended in the chapter on " Winter-Flowering Plants" 

 will be applicable. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



CULTURE OF WATER LILIES AND OTHER AQUATIC 

 PLANTS. 



THE following pa^es have been written by E. D. 

 Sturtevant, now of Bordentown, N. J., who mates an 

 exclusive business of growing aquatic plants, and who is 

 acknowledged as the highest authority on the subject 

 that we have in this country. 



THE WATER LILY TANK. 



Although Water Lilies may be cultivated in tubs, they 

 may be grown to much better perfection if allowed 

 plenty of room, especially the larger-growing tropical 

 species. Those who wish to cultivate a number of kinds, 

 and have complete success, should build a tank about 

 twenty by thirty feet, and two feet deep, out doors. If 

 sunk entirely in the ground it would be more easily 

 protected from frosts in cold climates. But it may be 

 partly sunken, and the soil which is taken out used as an 

 embankment around the outside, sloping it up to the top. 

 I prefer that it should be sunk to the level of the sur- 

 rounding surface, for the reason that the banks can be 



