THE WATER GARDEN 139 



the water, until the trouble is found. Of course where 

 the lilies are in tuhs the matter is simple, as a few 

 hours' work will put things in order again. Small 

 cracks above the earth line and in the wall are often 

 successfully handled by painting with white lead. 

 These are caused, of course, by frost, but properly 

 protected in winter, frost will never find its way into 

 the interior of the pool. Winter protection consists 

 of letting out the water and filling the pool with dry 

 leaves heaped high. Over these a cover of canvas or 

 lumber must be placed, the center being sufficiently 

 high to shed water freely. Two oblong structures of 

 matched boards, two feet longer than the pool and as 

 much wider as half the diameter, the center and ends 

 resting on stout supports, and securely attached at 

 the center, make a very satisfactory cover as it can 

 be stored against a wall in a barn or other convenient 

 place, while a round cover is very awkward to house 

 anywhere. 



There are so many beautiful varieties of water lilies 

 offered by the florists who specialize in this form of 

 plants that it is difficult to make a choice. Perhaps 

 the best selection for the beginner would be one or 

 two plants each of Marliacea rosffia, and Marliacea 

 chromatella, both hardy nymphseas, constant and pro- 

 lific bloomers, and perfectly hardy. They come into 

 bloom early, usually showing buds when the leaves 

 are removed from the pool in the spring, though there 



