26 AQUATIC PLANTS 



when such orders are received. This complaint is not without reason, 

 so we hasten to say that such plants as Hair Grass, Nitella, Spatterdock, 

 Fontinalis, Quillwort, Mare's Tail, Lace Plant, Cryptocoryne, Frogbit 

 and Water Chestnut can only be had here and there, sometimes from 

 some amateur enthusiast, and again only by personally collecting. 



The truth is that those plants which are easily obtainable com- 

 mercially and which have year-round merit in the aquarium are very 

 few indeed. Only one plant fulfills all requirements, and that is Sagit- 

 taria in its several forms. It is far the best aquarium plant. It is an 

 excellent oxygenator, will thrive and multiply in any reasonable good 

 position, is not easily injured either by fish or net; it is a beautiful, 

 strictly aquatic plant appropriate to the aquarium, and it is easily 

 obtained. 



Let us rightly name the aquarium plants. Correspondents have 

 called them "weeds," "moss," "water-weeds" and even "sea- weeds!" 



As to sources of supply, see advertisements in magazines listed on 

 slip near back of book. 



It is a good general rule to select young plants. They transplant 

 better and sooner adapt themselves to new conditions. If old plants 

 are used, the half-dead leaves should be removed. 



Sand or Pebbles? Much discussion has been brought out as to 

 the best methods of planting, principally as to whether to use soil, sand 

 or pebbles, or whether, in some cases, planting is necessary at all. Success 

 has been attained in many ways. The author believes in the use of 

 coarse sand, either with or without a mixture of pebbles, this latter 

 being a matter of preference only. The disadvantage of pebbles is that 

 they are likely to get into a siphon and clog it. Pebbles without sand 

 collect dirt and food particles which cannot be removed nor reached by 

 fishes or snails. While it rarely happens, fishes have been known to 

 strangle on a pebble. Sand varies considerably in different localities, 

 but usually building sand is satisfactory for our use. Any kind which 

 is as coarse as granulated sugar will do. Pin-head size is ideal. There 

 are no experienced advocates of sea or other fine sand. It packs too 

 hard for the roots to penetrate. 



Quantity of Plants. Beginners reading of the merits of vegetation 

 in the aquarium sometimes expect magical results from two or three 

 plants. The fact is that each makes a very small contribution towards 

 the desired end. It takes a battery of them to obtain an appreciable 

 result. Three sides of the aquarium should be planted somewhat closely, 

 but allowing for multiplication from such runners as are put out by 

 Sagittaria and Vallisneria. In short, there is no danger of overplanting 

 so long as the fishes can move about freely, and the view is not obscured. 



