— = HOW TO GROW WATER LILIES == 
EASY TO GROW—Water lilies are the easiest of all 
flowers to grow, for they require no care once they are 
set out. No weeding, no hoeing, and no hand watering. 
They grow equally well in every state in the Union, 
whether North or South, East or West. Just plant them 
in a box, tub, half barrel, or bushel basket and watch 
them grow. 
TUB GARDENS—Many of the most beautiful water 
lilies do splendidly in just a tub or half barrel, sunk in 
ground and filled half full of rich soil. We especially 
recommend tub gardens to those who have a small lot in 
the city or who rent their property, as they are easily 
moved. (See Page 22.) 
BUILDING THE POOL—Select a sunny location if pos- 
sible. Many lilies will bloom in partial shade, however 
(see “Helpful Hints”). Build your pool of concrete with 
sloping sides (no form required) using a 3:2:1 mixture 
(3 parts gravel, 2 parts sand, 1 part cement). It should 
be 6 inches thick, 2 feet deep, and should be reinforced 
near the top with a few strands of heavy smooth wire 
placed in the center of the concrete. Pockets can be built 
along the sides for shallow water plants by pressing bricks 
into soft concrete. Fill with water and drain twice before 
planting lilies. 
BOXES—Although it is not necessary, lilies generally do 
best when planted in a container. It should be about 2 
feet across by 1 foot deep. Boxes, tubs, half barrels, and 
bushel baskets are all satisfactory. Avoid unpainted 
metal or redwood containers for they stunt lilies. Our 
solid cedar PLANTING TUBS are ideal. (See Page 22.) 
SOIL—Any good garden loam is alright. If sod (espe- 
cially rotted sod) is available use it. Sod is richer than 
plain dirt. Be sure to mix in some kind of fertilizer. You 
will have more and larger blooms if you do. 
FERTILIZERS—After many years of experimenting in 
our growing and display ponds we have developed a sci- 
entifically balanced fertilizer, SLOCUM’S PERFEC- 
TION (the Perfect Water Lily Fertilizer). It contains 
everything that water lilies and aquatics need and is ex- 
cellent for other flowers, perennials, and shrubs. Use 11% 
to 2 lbs., for each lily and mix well through the soil. For 
MORE and LARGER BLOOMS, USE SLOCUM’S 
PERFECTION; 3 lbs., $1.00; 7 lbs., $2.00; 12 lbs., 
$3.00; 25 lbs., $6.00. 
ROTTED DAIRY FERTILIZER is also good but often 
discolors the water even when used in correct amounts. 
Use 1 part to 3 or 4 parts of soil and mix well. Although 
rotted cow manure is good, it will not give as good re- 
sults as our scientifically balanced SLOCUM’S 
PERFECTION. 
PLANTING—Put about 6 inches of water over soil. 
Plant Hardy Water Lilies horizontally (not upright) 
about 1 inch deep with crown exposed. Plant Tropicals 
upright, covering up to crown. (Caution: Tropical leaves 
are thin and wither easily in sun when out of water.) 
Fill water to 1 foot gradually. 
WHEN TO PLANT—Hardies may be planted from the 
last of April to the middle of August. The earlier the 
better however. Tropicals should not be planted until the 
weather is settled which, in the latitude of New York and 
11 
Chicago, is about June lst. Further South, after May 
20th is usually all right. 
SAND—It is desirable to cover dirt after planting with 
one inch of sand. This prevents fish and frogs from stir- 
ring up the soil and aids in keeping water clear. 
FERTILIZING DURING SUMMER—Water lilies are 
very heavy feeders. You will get more and larger blooms 
if you will feed them SLOCUM’S PERFECTION 3 or 
4. TIMES during summer. Wrap a large handful in cheese 
cloth or tissue paper and press into soil close to roots on 
2 or 3 sides of each plant. Do not disturb plant or 
container. 
WINTER CARE—Cover pool or tub garden with boards 
and leaves (hay or straw). Weight down. Hardies keep 
perfectly this way. Tropicals should be replaced each 
spring, unless a green-house is available. Goldfish may be 
left in pool providing—(1.) The water is about 2 feet 
deep, and (2.) Maple leaves do not blow into pool. 
Otherwise, remove goldfish to tub in cellar. If desired, 
Hardy Lilies may be moved to cellar and kept covered 
with water or wet burlap. 
SPRING CLEANING—As soon as weather permits, 
drain or dip out pool and remove all rubbish. Give each 
lily 1% to 2 pounds of SLOCUM’S PERFECTION. 
Every other year at this time do the following: 1.) dig 
up each plant; 2.) pull or cut it apart; 3.) change soil 
mixing in well 2 pounds of SLOCUM’S PERFECTION; 
4.) plant back just the largest root; 5.) destroy others. 
LOTUS—Lotus tubers look like bananas. They like a 
heavy rich soil. Plant them horizontally or flat (not up- 
right). Cover with 3 to 4 inches of soil. They require 2 
to 10 inches of water (no deeper). Plant at the same time 
as Tropicals as cold weather may stunt them. Once 
established, however, they are as tough as Hardies. 
(Caution: In unpacking and planting Lotus Tubers, be 
careful not to break them for they are very brittle.) 
DISTANCE APART—The average lily requires a space 
3 feet across (or more). A 5 foot pool will take care of 3 
or 4 lilies. A 10 foot pool will accommodate 6 to 10 lilies 
and other aquatics. A little more space should be allowed 
for the larger flowering lilies and Lotus. The lilies pic- 
tured on Page 5 do well in very crowded quarters (less 
than 3 foot space), due to their naturally small leaf 
spread. 
PESTS—Mosquitoes can be kept out by goldfish. Black 
aphids can be killed with Black Leaf 40, or washed off 
with the hose so that the fish can eat them. 
BLOOMING SEASON—Hardies bloom best here in the 
North during June, July, and August. Tropicals are at 
their best in August, September and October. By order- 
ing both Hardies and Tropicals, you can have five 
months of continuous blooming. 
DIVIDING—Roots of Hardies should be divided every 
second year, allowing at least 6 inches of root attached 
to crown. Dividing can be accomplished by breaking 
roots apart with hands or by cutting them with knife. 
CHANGING SOIL—Give lilies new soil every second 
year. Use garden loam (or sod) and mix in 2 or 3 lbs. of 
SLOCUM’S PERFECTION for each lily. 
