August, 1891. 
139 
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the water shoals rapidly in many places. 
From this we may learn that deep water is 
Hot necessary, a foot and a half to two feet 
being quite enough. A greater depth might 
prove for some kinds a valuable winter pro- 
tection to the roots. 
For a number of miles before entering 
Lake Champlain one side of the Otter is 
densely lined with Nymphoea odorata, and 
their sweetness is wafted over the surround- 
ing country by every breeze. That side is 
the north side, where the sun shines all 
day, and a Lily pad is rarely seen on the 
other side. So it is always, whether on 
river or lake. The Lilies seek the sunny 
spots. From this it may be inferred that 
the Water Lilies are sun-loving plants, with 
a few solitary exceptions, and these seem to 
have got lost. 
Again, if you bring up some of the soil in 
which the Lilies are growing, you will find 
it is rich in Nature’s plant food, decayed 
vegetable matter, which is brought down 
by spring freshets and the wash of the ad- 
joining hillsides and 
meadows, besides the 
richness furnished 
more directly by de- 
cayed leaves and 
shells, and by the fish 
which find a welcome 
shelter under thepads. 
Tt is natural to con- 
clude, therefore, that 
Water Lilies delight 
in a rich soil. While 
it would be desirable 
to use the river soil in 
which the Water Lily 
grows naturally, it 
can hardly be said to 
be necessary, for, 
aside from the trou- 
ble, most of us can 
easily prepare a soil 
at home that will suf- 
ficiently approximate it, and answer the 
purpose very well. It is something gained, 
however, wheD we know the kind of soil a 
plant grows in naturally, for we then have 
the knowledge which enables us to imitate 
it more or less closely. Even the river soil 
is not always precisely the same, but must 
vary somewhat with the locality and sur- 
roundings. Hence we need not pay strict 
attention to those formulas which prescribe 
a gill of this, a pint of that, a quart of the 
other, and so on ad infinitum; formulas 
which frighten the timid, and surround the 
subject with such mystery as to make the 
object seem quite impossible of attainment 
by ordinary mortals. Better than these 
formulas will be the knowledge you will 
gain along the river bank, where Nature 
gives you the pure coin. 
There is one other point that may claim at- 
tention, and that is the seed. One might 
suppose the swift current of the river would 
carry the seed away. This might happen if 
the seed were dropped late in the autumn 
or in early spring, when heavy rains and 
spring floods create a strong current along 
the river banks. The seed, however, ripen 
and fall in late summer and go to the bot- 
tom, where they are soon covered by the 
silt that the river is constantly depositing 
on the bottom, and this covers the seed and 
holds them in place; besides, there are nu- 
merous little depressions and furrows on 
the bottom which help in the same way. 
Some of the seed pass away to other places, 
but enough are retained to keep the “bor- 
der” well stocked. In studying the bottom 
of the river a water telescope or glass is very 
helpful, and is easily made at home. It must 
be borne in mind that we have found our 
Water Lily growing in the full blaze of the 
sun, and in comparatively shallow water 
that is always warm in summer, but which 
is being constantly but slowly changed. 
Now let us group the conditions and see 
how simple a thing it is to grow- Water Lil- 
ies from seed; easier, indeed, than it is to 
grow many kinds of plants from cuttings, 
provided the conditions are observed with a 
reasonable degree of fidelity. The condi- 
aquatic and Sub-tropical Garden. Fig. 1209. 
tions are, rich soil made compact or firm 
by compression; a little clean sand; clean 
water, and plenty of warm sunshine. This 
list does not look very formidable when 
summed up. A mild shade, under some 
circumstances, while the seed are germinat- 
ing, may be necessary; for example, when 
we use a small transparent vessel and only 
a few inches of soil and water. 
A small tub, a deep bowl, a pail, or some 
convenient vessel of a similar kind, will do 
to start the seed in. Even a common glass 
tumbler will do for small seeds. A little 
leaf mould may be added to the soil with 
advantage, and also some old manure well 
pulverized, which will afford plant food 
similar to that found in the river soil. Fill 
the vessel about half full of the soil, and 
press it down firmly as it is put in. This 
makes the seed bed. On the surface sow 
the seed evenly, and cover it with a quarter 
to half an inch of clean sand, which should 
also be pressed down. The sand should not 
be entirely dry. These little details are ne- 
cessary to prevent the seed and soil from 
being moved while the vessel is being filled 
with water, which must be done slowly and 
with care. Two or three inches of water 
will be enough for the present. There is 
another way, but this is the better one. 
This is the first stage of growing Water 
Lilies, and it may be begun as early as Feb- 
ruary or March under glass, or even in the 
sitting room for some kinds. 
We propose to end the first lesson here, 
and let the reader “study it up” for a while, 
and prepare for the next. We like to see 
lessons illustrated, however, and therefore 
introduce two very handsome pictures. The 
first (Fig. 1208) is an excellent portrait of 
our best known native Water Lily, about 
which we have been talking, Nymphoea 
odorata, the flowers, however, being several 
times larger than here shown. It is no 
wonder it is such a universal favorite, for 
it is very delicate and beautiful, and emits 
a sweet odor that always leaves a memory 
behind. It is more or less common in riv- 
ers, lakes, and ponds all over the country. 
It grows on a stout root stalk or rhizome, 
whichfixes itself firm- 
ly in the soil or mud. 
The petiole or leaf 
stalk accommodates 
itself to the depth of 
water, as already stat- 
ed. The leaves are 
five or six inches in 
diameter, dark green 
on the upper surface, 
have a smooth edge, 
are circular in form, 
somewhat pointed at 
the apex, but cleft at 
the base. The flow- 
ers float on the sur- 
face of the water. The 
sepals are white on 
the upper side. The 
petals are lance-shap- 
ed and about two 
inches long. The col- 
or is a beautiful white, sometimes slightly 
shaded with purple at the base of the pet- 
als. There is a certain kind and degree of 
delicacy in the make-up of this Water Lily 
which must be seen to be understood and 
appreciated. A variety is found at Barn- 
stable and Nantucket with rose-colored pet- 
als. It is rare and very beautiful. 
The second illustration (Fig. 1209) is from 
a photograph of Mr. Goodell’s “Aquatic and 
Sub-tropical Garden” at Pansy Park, 
Dwight, Mass. Only a portion of the gar- 
den is here shown. The man and woman 
at the right will enable the reader to form a 
good idea of the size and proportions of the 
plants. Here we have growing several 
species and varieties of Nymphasas, Nelum- 
biums or Lotus, Reeds, Cannas, Colocasias, 
etc., the whole grouped in a very pictur- 
esque manner, and presenting an interest- 
ing study. The reader will notice on the 
right that the Nelumbium throws its leaves 
and flowers some distance above the water, 
differing in this respect from the Nvmphsea. 
Details for growing the plants, etc., will 
be given hereafter. — P. B. Mead. 
