40 
EVERGREEN LODGE. 
walls have been built, and the bottom laid and grouted, the whole must receive 
an additional coat of cement. About four feet from each end of the tank, build a 
partition wall about twelve inches high. Bricks laid on edge will do, if laid in 
cement. These spaces can be cut in two by another partition. The compartments 
thus formed are for the purpose of confining the roots of the different kinds of 
Lotus within proper limits, and for planting those kinds of Nymphota which do 
better in such a position. The remaining portion of the tank can be taken up 
with pots, and large, shallow boxes, which will be movable at will. After the 
cement has properly hardened, fill the compartments and boxes with soil, and 
cover with an inch or two of clean sand. Kill the tank with water, and let it get 
well warmed before planting anything tender. As warm weather approaches, run 
a stream of fresh water in, for an hour or two each day, to prevent stagnation. 
When the surface of the water is covered with leaves, there is less tendency in this 
direction, and all that seems to be necessary is to replace what is lost by evapora- 
tion. The Lily tank must be placed in a warm and sunny position, for these 
plants will not do their best unless the water is thoroughly warmed. On the north 
side may be a border tilled with Musas, Cannes, Bamboos, Ornamental Grasses, 
Caladiums. etc., which form a tine back-ground for the Lilies, and give the whole 
a tropical appearance. 
SOIL FOR GROWING AQUATIC PLANTS. 
The best soil for growing all kinds of aquatic plants in gardens we have found 
to be good, rich loam, and the best decayed stable or cow manure, in equal quanti- 
ties. with the addition of about one pound of bone meal to a wheelbarrow load of 
the compost. Leaf mould or fine black peat can no doubt also be used to advan- 
tage. Riel) mud from the bed of a pond or sluggish stream will answer in place of 
the loam, but we do not consider it essential. The compost should be well mixed, 
placed in the tank, and covered with about an inch of good, clean sand to keep 
the manure from rising; then let in the water several days before putting in the 
plants. The soil for the Nelumbiums should be heavy loam, or heavy, greasy clay, 
well enriched, as for all other aquatics. They will not flourish in sund or sandy 
peat. 
WATER LILIES IN TUBS AND CEMENNT BASINS. 
A good degree of success may be obtained by planting them in large tubs or 
half barrels in the open air. either on the surface or sunk in the ground. They 
should be placed where they receive the full benefit of the sun for at least the 
greater portion of the day. If for the whole day. so much the better. Fill them 
about half full of the compost recommended for all aquatics. The large growing 
kinds would do better in large half hogsheads or tierces sawed in two. A very 
effective and inexpensive plan is to arrange the tubs in connection with a rockery, 
a large tub in the centre being placed somewhat higher than the rest and con- 
nected by pieces of rubber hose, so that the overflow from the large tub runs from 
one to the other, so changing the water in all. Oil barrels make good tubs. The 
space around the tubs is tilled with good rich compost, held in place by large 
stones, in which foliage plants, such as Sedums, Caladiums, Palms, etc., are to be 
planted. The effect produced in this manner is really beautiful. 
ENEMIES OF AQUATIC PLANTS. 
The conditions which we recommend for successfully growing tropical aquat- 
ics (i. e.. still, warm water, and rich compost) favor the growth of a low form of 
vegetable life called confervte, or green scum, which becomes very unsightly and 
troublesome unless eradicated. As the result of several years’ experience, we arc 
quite positive that if an abundance of Gold Kish are kept in the tank or pond, 
there will be no trouble in this direction. Other kindsof fish which are vegetarian 
in habit, might, perhaps, answer as well, but the German Carp is not to be recom- 
mended for tanks kept solely for the choicer varieties of aquatics, on account of 
their propensity for rooting in the mud and feeding upon the fibrous roots which 
proceed from the rhizomes of the Lilies. Should it be determined to keep a few 
