July, 1 9 13 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



239 



that arises, or other impurity, should be removed. When 

 the plants are well established this care will not be necessary. 

 To establish that wise economy between plant and animal 

 life which nature demands, some kind of fish should be 

 contained in the pond. Gold fish are a pretty addition and 

 other forms which live in water may be introduced. Frogs 

 and tadpoles will come of themselves and should be en- 

 couraged to do so. If the water is thus kept in good con- 

 dition few if any insects will cause trouble. 



Around the pool, or in spaces between a group of tubs 

 water plants should be grown, and by means of careful 

 arrangements of these the surroundings of the pools offer 

 alluring possibilities for picturesque effects. Any plants 

 which commonly like moisture can be used and allowed to 

 reflect themselves in the water or droop their leaves into 

 it as they lightly overshadow the edges. Ferns, Iris, For- 

 get-me-nots, and others will occur to one as appropriate, and 

 even the Cardinal Flower may be persuaded to lend color 

 to such a group. 



Cultivated Lilies, grown thus in private pools, have some 

 advantages over those which grow in our native ponds. 

 They are stronger and last much longer after they are picked ; 

 and they will open and close indoors for several days as 

 contentedly as if at home. They bear transportation better, 

 and the season for their blooming has been much prolonged, 

 lasting from May until late in September. Other qualities 

 have been developed by the growers, of which there are 

 a number now over the country. Some varieties have been 

 endowed with perfume, not a characteristic of the native 

 Lily. There are varieties which will bloom at night instead 

 of by day, intended for use as evening decorations. As many 



A grouping of Lotus 

 as twenty varieties of the Water-Lily have been counted in 

 a single garden, ranging from the large pink or the sacred 



A garden of Water-Lilies 



