178 WATER-LILIES 



to arrange for drainage of the walks, espe- 

 cially if of concrete. 



For the best type of aquatic house two 

 doors, one at each end, are desirable. One 

 only need be used while the plants are in 

 flower, and should be provided with a vesti- 

 bule, not only for the protection of visitors 

 from sudden changes of temperature, but 

 also for the protection of the plants themselves 

 from sudden gusts of cold wind. The other 

 door, because it is to be used in the spring for 

 the bringing in of the soil and in the fall for the 

 removal of the old plants, etc., must be at least 

 six feet wide. Though perennial in its native 

 haunts, the Victoria must be treated as an 

 annual when grown in our climate. At- 

 tempts to keep the plant a second year have 

 thus far been most unsatisfactory. 



During the fall and winter the Victoria 

 house offers an excellent opportunity for the 

 storing of perennials and woody plants, such 

 as crotons, standard fuchsias, lantanas, bay 

 trees, etc., which during the summer have 

 graced the garden. 



