—— 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—(See Page 14.) Select a sunny 
location if possible. Many lilies will bloom in partial 
shade, however. Build your pool of concrete with sloping 
sides (no form required) using a 3:2:1 mixture (3 parts 
gravel, 2 parts sands, 1 part cement). It should be 6 
inches thick, 2 feet deep, and should be reinforced with 
heavy 2 inch mesh chicken wire 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. When 
dry, paint with our blue under-water enamel. (See 
page 18.) 
BOXES—Although it is not necessary, lilies generally do 
best when planted in containers 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 PLANT- 
ING TUBS are ideal. (See Page 22.) 
SOIL—Any good garden loam is all right. 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 114 
to 2 lbs., for each lily and place in bottom of planting 
container. 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 place in bottom of 
planting container. Although rotted cow manure is good, 
it will not give as good results as our scientifically bal- 
anced 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—Hardy water lilies may be planted 
from the last of April to the middle of August. The ear- 
lier the better however. Tropicals should not be planted 
until the weather is settled which, in the latitude of 
New York and 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. 
Repeat this on 2 or 3 sides of each plant. Do not disturb 
plant or container. 
WINTER CARE—Cover pool or tub garden with boards 
and hay (or straw). Weight down. Hardies keep per- 
fectly this way. Tropicals should be replaced each 
spring, unless a greenhouse 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 
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 2 pounds of SLOCUM’S PERFECTION near 
bottom of planting container; 4.) plant back just the 
weather permits, 
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 2 inches of soil. They require 2 to 19 
inches of water (no deeper). Plant at the same time as 
Hardy water lilies. Lotus begin to grow in June, usually, 
(Caution: In unpacking and planting 
Lotus Tubers, be careful not to break them for they are 
in this climate. 
very brittle.) 
DISTANCE APART—The average lily requires a space 
3 feet across (or more). A 5 foot pcol 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 al- 
lowed for the larger flowering lilies. The lilies pictured 
on Pages 4 and 24 do well in very crowded quarters (less 
than 3 foot space), due to their naturally small leat 
spread. 
PESTS—Mosquitoes can be kept out by goldfish. Black 
aphids can be killed with DDT bombs, or washed oft 
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 SOII.—Give lilies new soil every second 
year. Use garden loam (or sod) and mix in 2 lbs. of 
SLOCUM’S PERFECTION for each lily. 
