A RECLAIMED SWAMP. 
Cultural Notes. 
When to Plant. 
In selecting a location for a tub, tank, pond or other water it 
is well to observe the following. 
1st. That the place have plenty sunshine especially, the 
morning sun. 
2nd. That the water be not too deep or cold; shallow places 
when fed by cold springs or wells should be avoided. 
3rd. Swift streams and places subject to too frequent tides 
should be avoided. 
4tb. That the water be free from stagnation and salt. 
5th. That it be practically free of crawfish, muskrats and 
turtles. 
6th. That the bottom have sufficient soil for the lilies to 
take hold and grow. 
Making Ponds. 
The first consideration is the water supply and drainage. 
Artificial water, streams, spring’s or rainfall on the surround- 
ing upland, may be utilized. Generally the lowest part of the 
ground is best suited, but if there is danger of a freshet from 
heavy rains it is proper to locate the pond to one side of the 
current, so that the plants may not be disturbed. If a pond is 
to be made by building a dam across a stream the work should 
be substantial; drain pipes sufficient to carry.off the regular 
volume of water should be put in, and an overflow pipe pro¬ 
vided. If the stream is a large one it is best to turn only a 
poition of its volume by a culvert, and construct the pond at 
an independent distance from the main stream. 
The site being selected, regulation for the control of the 
water planned and the outline of the pond determined, we are 
ready to remove the soil. This may be done either by digging 
or plowing the place and hauling the dirt away on carts or 
taken out with an ordinary pond scraper. The depth should 
be from two to five feet where lilies are to be planted, and 
other paits left to the wish of the owner. Where the water 
supply is limited, and there is none to spare by leakage, it may 
be necessary to plaster the pond with a three inch coat of stiff 
clay mud This is especially necessary where sand or gravel 
are abundant, but where the soil is naturally of a stiff or 
clayey texture, a good pounding or beating of the entire bot¬ 
tom of the pond with mauls, or by allowing stock to tramp 
the place for a season, it will have a, bottom almost as secure 
as cement. 
Tanks. 
Tanks or artificial ponds may be built either above the 
ground, of wood or iron, or below the surface of the ground 
and lined with wood, cement, brick or stone. Those in the 
ground are generally preferable and more convenient, espec¬ 
ially if large. The depth should be from two and one-half to 
four feet, gradually sloping from the edge toward the center. 
A neat, cheap job may be made by giving the sides and 
bottom a heavy coat of cement, but a more durable one is to 
build the walls of brick or stone laid in cement, concreting the 
bottom, and dressing the whole with Portland cement. In 
cold climates the walls should be thirteen inches thick* Oio 
South or in greenhouses a four or eight inch wall will do. 
A Water Lily tank may be placed near some building and rain¬ 
fall from the roof conducted into it as a water supply. If not 
thus located, it will be necessary to replenish it from the 
water works or otherwise. An overflow pipe will be necessary. 
A drainage pipe is not necessary, butis often times convenient. 
The shape is optional with the owner. Avoid sharp angles 
wherever possible, as there is danger of leaks. We find oblong 
tanks most satisfactory, and six by twelve, twelve by twenty, 
twenty by sixty feet convenient dimensions. These are gen¬ 
eral instructions; special tanks are built for special purposes. 
A tank for Victorias should be not less than twenty five feet 
in diameter. When it is desired to grow the tropical Water 
Lilies in order to have early flowers, the water should be rais¬ 
ed to seventy-five degrees by a hot water or steam heater. We 
prefer that the pipes make a circuit all around the tank, and 
not, as some suggest, allow the steam or hot water to escape 
into the tank, 
For protection during winter, glass, either as a cold frame 
or greenhouse, is the best; however, if the walls are made 
thick and the water drained off during winter, there will be 
no danger from freezing 
Tubs. 
Persons having no other facility may possess a beautiful 
water garden with tubs. Most all Lotuses and a number of 
the smaller Nymphaeas do well in tubs. A group of tubs on 
a lawn arranged in a rockery or in pyramidal form, filled half 
full of soil and to the brim with water and planted with lilies 
makes an effective show and are but little trouble. Oil barrels 
sawed in two and burned out make good cheap tubs. 
