Three Experiences with Lily Pools 
HOW THE “LILY-POOL LADY” REDUPLICATED IN THE 
GARDEN SOME OF HER CHILDHOOD’S FAVORITE HAUNTS 
living 
A LILY pool is the very cen¬ 
ter and life of a garden. 
A garden without a pool is like a 
room without a fireplace. 
It is so deliciously cool on a hot day to sit down and see the 
reflection of the sky and of the surrounding flowers in a pool of 
green water. The fishes dart gaily about, taking mosquito eggs 
here, gulping a bug there, and 
jumping for their food when¬ 
ever the spirit moves them. 
Then at last they settle down 
under a big white water lily 
for a long, drowsy nap. 
The different colored lily 
leaves as they open up in the 
water, so placid and restful, 
hold your attention, and noth¬ 
ing is more beautiful than the 
Nymphaeas as they slowly un¬ 
fold and as slowly fall to 
sleep again. 
Many people think it quite 
impossible to become inter¬ 
ested in gold fish, but these 
pool dwellers are not monot¬ 
onous as they imagine. Gold 
fish can be taught to feed 
from one’s hand, and if fed 
regularly, soon recognize the 
approach of the one who feeds 
them. Then, too, it is excit¬ 
ing sport to see them fight for 
a bug that comes within strik¬ 
ing distance, so you see there 
is much that is interesting be¬ 
sides their brilliant colors. 
A friend of the writer’s, 
whose childhood was spent in 
the country, has never forgot¬ 
ten the delights she experi¬ 
enced at meandering about in 
a big swamp. Here the rains 
formed numerous pools, 
around which clustered the 
blue flag and cat tails, tower¬ 
ing far above her head. Here, 
too, was a colony of famous 
frogs. It was a most wonder¬ 
ful playground. 
After her marriage she 
went far away, where swamps 
and cat tails were almost un¬ 
known. But her heart 
yearned for the pool and she 
went to work to make one. The 
result was most gratifying and 
she soon had duplicated some 
of her favorite haunts in the 
old swamp. The way she did it 
may prove interesting, and 
these are her instructions: 
Photographs by the Authors 
feet in the center. If the pool 
be two and one-half feet deep 
three feet is better. Wherever 
The first pool was inspired by some of the corners in the 
swamp where the bullfrogs lived among the water lilies 
old 
JVY AJ PK/EA NYMPWZAKUM 
The second experiment was along more formal lines than the first 
and was planted with numerous moisture-loving plants 
Dig a hole—if it happens to be 
in clay soil, so much the better— 
starting with a depth of one foot 
and gradually sloping to three 
is four or five feet long, it should 
in the center. For a larger pool 
the lay of the land permits, it is 
well to let it follow its nat¬ 
ural lines. However, the pool 
can be made any shape one 
wishes, round, oblong or of 
geometrical design. 
If there is a beautiful tree 
in the vicinity, dig the lily 
pool near to catch the reflec¬ 
tion in the water. The tree 
also serves as a windbreak. 
Dogwood and hardy shrubs 
can be added, but remember 
that the lilies must have full 
sun for at least half of the 
day. 
After the pool is dug it 
should be thoroughly tamped 
down, stamping it hard with 
the feet and then with a pole 
or stump, so as to make a firm 
bottom that will hold water. 
For a natural pool this is all 
that is necessary. In ordinary 
weather the rains will keep it 
well filled and the soil will 
drain it. 
Plant the lilies in a tub. 
Put four inches of well rotted 
cow manure, well pressed 
down, in the bottom of the 
tub, and cover with six inches 
of soil. The soil from a 
swampy place is ideal for 
water lilies and should be used 
if possible. If not, use a good 
rich soil mixed with rotted 
cow manure. Place an inch 
of sand and gravel on top. 
This will prevent the dirt from 
washing away from the lily 
roots and keep the water clear. 
For a water garden of this 
kind the hardy varieties of 
Nymphaea (water lily) have 
been tested and found the 
best. They are the least ex¬ 
pensive, costing from 50 cents 
to $1 a plant, and one is sure 
of their blooming the first 
year. 
Gladstoniana is a robust 
white lily with flowers from 
6 to 8 inches in diameter. 
Marliacea is another vigorous 
