60 AQUATIC PLANTS 



WATER CHESTNUT 

 Probably obtaining its popular name from the serrated edges of the 

 leaves somewhat resembling those of the Chestnut tree, Trapa natans 

 forms one of the pleasing varieties among floating aquatics. It is an 

 annual doing well in exposed outdoor positions. New plants are pro- 

 duced each year from large, hard seeds. The big, black, two-horned seeds 

 sometimes sold in Chinese stores are of a closely related species of Trapa. 

 Can be had of the larger dealers after May 15. 



WATER HYACINTH 



Although Water Hyacinth, Eichhornia, is considered a pest in its 

 native habitat on account of clogging up rivers and lakes, it is none the 

 less a favorite with the aquarist, especially the breeder of goldfishes. Its 

 long, finely divided, dense roots are admirable for receiving the eggs 

 of any fishes that spawn on plants. The pale purple flower-spike only 

 blooms for a single day, but is quite beautiful, having the general form 

 of its namesake, the Hyacinth. Propagation is by runners at the surface 

 of the water. Water Hyacinths do best if their roots can enter or drag 

 in soil. Outdoors they do not like to be blown about nor to strike against 

 the sides of a tank, although apparently not minding how closely they 

 are crowded together. This plant does well in a warm greenhouse the 

 year round. Unless supplied with plenty of light and heat during the 

 winter it degenerates very much. 



WATER SNOWFLAKE 



Limnanthemum indicum is one of the most charming of the small 

 floating aquatics. White, star-like flowers of 1-inch diameter are freely 

 borne above the water. Parent plant should be rooted in soil near surface. 



WATER LILIES 

 Fish pools or large tanks standing in the sun should have water 

 lilies growing in them. They are of easy culture and not only give protec- 

 tion to the fish from excessive sun and from bird enemies, but add greatly 

 to appearances. Small or large varieties may be had, according to the 

 needs of the space. Water lilies are divided into tender and hardy varie- 

 ties, and the tenders are sub-divided into day-blooming and night-bloom- 

 ing kinds. The tenders are very decidedly the more free-blooming and 

 the day-blooming tenders are the more fragrant, as well as presenting 

 the greater range of color. They usually open in the fore part of the 

 morning and close in mid-afternoon. The night-bloomers open in the 

 evening and close about nine in the morning. They are not fragrant nor 



