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LILY PARK, GEORGE B. MOULDER, PROPRIETOR, SMITHES GROVE, KY. 
Depth to Plant. This depends upon the size. Better plant too shallow than too deep. Knee deep is sufficient 
for small plants, three to four feet for large ones. If planted in boxes, as recommended above, start the young 
plants in water, one foot deep, and drag the boxes out into deeper water as the plants grow. 
Where to Plant. The natural conditions for growing water lilies are these—still, warm water, sunshine and rich 
soil. Such conditions are met in most of our natural ponds, lakes and sluggish streams. 
Tubs. A good assortment of the smaller nymphseas and Lotuses may be grown in tubs. Either one tub or sev¬ 
eral grouped together may be made effective. Whisky barrels sawed in two, or halves of hogsheads, make inex¬ 
pensive tubs. 
Soil. Water Lilies are strong feeders. Grive them a heavy, rich soil. If it is to be enriched use well rotted 
manure or bone meal. If fresh or green manure is used, in decomposing it stagnates the water and often injures 
the plants. Sand or Gravel may be spread on the soil of tubs, lakes or ponds, to keep the water clear, but are of no 
service to the lilies. 
Water from cisterns, ponds, streams, springs or lakes, may be utilized in the water garden. Salt water and 
“ brackish” water must be avoided. Mineral waters are not injurious. Swift streams should be avoided. Water 
in a lily pond, tub or tank, does not necessarily have to be changed, but simply replenished. Water lilies are strong 
oxygenators, purifying the water and counteracting the germs of malaria. Gold Fish, or other small fishes, are not 
harmful in a lily pool, except eating the seed. 
Wintering. Hardy varieties planted in natural ponds will need no protection, but if grown in cement basins or 
tubs some provision will have to be made to protect them from continued severe freezing. The roots of the tender 
lilies should be packed in moist soil (not wet nor dry), and kept in a cellar, at not less than 50° temperature or 
under benches of a green-house. 
