An informal pool is much easier and less expensive to build than a formal one, as 
it can be built without forms. 
For an informal pool, after deciding on size and shape, dig out soil to the depth of 
2 feet and level off. Shave side walls as near perpendicular as possible. (This is impor¬ 
tant, as cats are very fond of fish, and should the walls slope very much the fish come 
to the edge and are a prey to the ''fishermen.'' 
Tamp walls and floor of pool and reinforce with heavy hog wire or fencing wire, 
covering walls and floor. 
The concrete should be poured continuously, so there will be no joints, and as it is 
poured, the reinforcing should be pulled up to the center of concrete, thus making pool 
stronger and less apt to crack. 
In building a formal pool, by excavating very carefully to the exact size and shape 
of the pool, and carefully trimming the edges, there will be no necessity for an outside 
form. Allow about six inches space for walls and build inside form. The walls should 
be reinforced, and after cement is poured allow it to harden until the next day; remove 
forms and pour bottom of the pool. Finish as directed below. 
Cement . . . The proper mixture of cement is: 1 shovel of cement to 5 of sand; or 
use equal parts of pea gravel and sand, having the proportions 1 to 5. Dry mix well, 
then add enough water to make rather stiff mixture. In cold climates, where heavy 
freezing may be expected, the concrete should be 6 inches thick; in mild climates, 3 
inches is ample. 
As concrete is poured, it should be well tamped to take out the porous places and 
thus insure yourself of a water-tight pool. Allow cement to become thoroughly set, then 
apply a thin coat of 1 part cement to 3 of screened sand, and when this is hardened, 
apply a paint made of pure cement and water. 
Be sure to keep cement moist as it hardens, by spraying with a fine spray at inter¬ 
vals, as the slower cement hardens, the stronger it becomes. 
After it is thoroughly set it may be filled with water, filling it very slowly. Allow 
this water to stand in pool for a week to soak out the alkali; drain off and sweep thor¬ 
oughly when dry and pool is ready for planting. 
Drainage ... A pool may be built without drainage pipes; if your garden has any 
slope, pool may be easily drained with a hose. 
Fill hose with water; keep both ends closed until one end is placed at the lowest 
point possible and the other end placed in pool, which will allow the pool to drain in a 
short time. 
If you wish a permanent drain in your pool, use 1 or 2-inch galvanized pipe, and 
in putting tgoether, grease the fittings or they will soon become so tightly fitted together 
that it will be impossible to open them. 
Culture of Water Lilies 
Water lilies are among the easiest flowers to grow. About the only attention they 
require after planting is to watch the water level and break off dead leaves. No con¬ 
stant watering to think of or worry about when planning a vacation. Just leave drip in 
pool and go away for a month and come home and find them in perfect condition. 
Soil and Fertilizer . . . Any good garden soil will do for water lilies. The best fertilizer 
being WELL ROTTED dairy fertilizer. Be sure it is well rotted or it will ferment and 
muddy the pool and rot the lily pads. 
Should it be impossible to obtain well rotted manure, we recommend bone meal, or 
any good commercial fertilizer. In spreading fertilizer (if dairy), place on bottom of pool 
or box to depth of three or four inches; then cover with six or eight inches of soil ac¬ 
cording to depth of pool. In using commercial fertilizer, mix well with four inches of soil, 
on bottom of pool, allowing N /2 pounds to each wheelbarrow of soil, then fill to depth 
of ten or twelve inches with plain soil; this precaution being taken to keep fertilizer from 
discoloring the pool. 
In large pools, if desiring to plant in boxes, the boxes should be two by two feet 
square and one foot deep if possible. It is not necessary to have a bottom in box, but 
care should be taken, however, to place a weight on the corners until box is well 
soaked or it will float away when pool is filled. Do not use redwood in making boxes, 
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