GROWING THE GIANT VICTORIAS 151 



unsightly. If the proper precautions have 

 been taken the plant will thrive. 



A little scum will rise to the surface in even 

 the most carefully planted ponds. This 

 must be flushed off. It may happen that two 

 or three days after planting the entire plant 

 and a goodly portion of the soil rises to the 

 surface of the pond! This is invariably due 

 to the fact that the manure used in the com- 

 post was insufficiently rotted, and that under 

 the influence of the increased temperature a 

 large amount of gas was generated by the 

 decomposing matter. The only safeguard is 

 the use of the most thoroughly rotted cow 

 manure. Should it occur, there is nothing to 

 do but to repeat the entire operation of plant- 

 ing, the young plant being temporarily re- 

 turned to its old quarters, care being taken 

 to disturb as little as possible any soil which 

 may be clinging to the roots. 



Planting completed, nothing remains to be 

 done other than keeping watch on the tem- 

 perature and maintaining the water at its 

 proper level. As the plant grows older the 



