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THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



cutting out briars, tall grass, stump sprouts and any 

 growth which may spring up and be liable to smother 

 the young trees. The stump sprouts are broken off 

 with the back of the ax — not cut; by this means a piece 

 of the bark and of the cambium come awa}- with each 

 shoot and the sprouts get weaker each year until the 

 stump dies. This work is done during July and Au- 

 gust; any growth coming after does not, as a rule, 

 matter. 



In this country the planting of forest trees is, to 

 some extent, an experiment. For many generations 

 the virgin forests have been exploited, and it is only 

 recently that any planting has been done to replace 

 them. It is practically impossible to point out forests 

 planted, say, fifty years ago, and to see results, as can 



be done in Europe ; therefore, we must plant in faith. 

 One thing is quite certain: that whatever planting is 

 done, it is sure to increase the value of the land. 



Few of man's acts have greater survival value than 

 planting trees. The planter has the joy of his work 

 at the time, and it adds to the value of his real estate 

 during his life, but the trees will be there after he is 

 dead, for the benefit of the succeeding generation. 



In conclusion, a line or two from a poem by Lucy 

 Lacrom, entitled "Plant a Tree," may be considered 

 appropriate : 



He zt'lio l^laiits a tree 



Plants a hope: 



Plant: * * * 



Jnd Ills zcork its ozi.'n retvard shall be. 



The Pleasure of Water Gardening 



By Wm. Tricker. 



The planting season i^ near at hand and when con- 

 sidering the many flowers, native and exotic, that enter 

 into the list deserving of special merit, why not include 

 the Nymphaeas, and other water plants? Of course all 

 aquatic and sub-aquatic plants are not adapted to each 

 and every garden alike ; there are in many places a pond, 

 spring or running stream, which is invaluable, as it in- 

 cludes also wet and moist ground so well adapted for 

 many plants that could not be grown elsewhere. This is 

 an ideal spot for a water garden, and no artificial poml 

 can compare with it; but where such do not exist an 

 artificial one can and should be constructed that will be 

 an ornament to the grounds, buildings and architectural 

 design. In such a pond the choice Nymphaeas can be 

 grown, both hardy and tender; these judiciously planted 

 will be the center of attraction and may surpass any- 

 thing else. But presuming the flower garden, the Rose 

 garden, the Italian or formal garden each receive their 

 proper attention, the water garden is a feature by itself 

 and a part of a well constituted whole. Without the 

 water gaiden or artificial pond the garden is not com- 

 plete. 



In many places we often see unsightly pools of stagnant 

 water, offensive and malodorous ; such spots may readily 

 be made beautiful and attractive. Such places are out- 

 side the garden proper, but a semi-natural garden is a 

 valuable adjunct to the garden ; where there is water 

 there is also wet and moist ground so well adapted for 

 many trees, shrubs and many other plants that would 

 not be in place in the garden proper. No better place 

 can be conceived for such trees as scarlet maples, pin 

 oaks, sweet and sour gum, tulip tree, willows and several 

 species of Magnolia, especially M. glauca. 



With running water a series of ponds can be con- 

 strticted, each to be planted with one particular variety ; 

 the margin of the pond and stream to be planted with 

 sub-aquatic plants and adjacent to this can be planted in 

 wild profusion, such plants as Astilbes, Asters, Eupa- 

 toriums, Heleniums. Hemerocallis, Iris in variety, Lob- 

 elas, Lythrum, Senecio, Spiraeas. Hibiscus, the noble 

 Marshmallow and many plants innumerable to mention, 

 but we must not omit the swamp Azalea and others ; also 

 Rhododendrons. 



Small and even large ponds can be planted with Egyp- 

 tian Lotus, they to be planted where no water lilies are 

 grown, as they are very vigorous growers and will 

 smother Nymphaeas and other such like plants. In other 

 ponds some varieties of Nymphaeas, too strong for plant- 

 ing in artificial ponds, can here be naturalized, and noth- 



ing lociks Ijetter tlian one or two large clumps of certain 

 Xymphaeas. 



In natural planting do not mix varieties, but do not 

 consider this a hard and fast rule, as separate varieties 

 judiciously planted do not clash, but dame nature plants 

 m groups and masses ; this does not apply to artificial 

 ponds, where a larger quantity can be planted with grand 

 effect, and it would be impossible to have a pond for 

 each separate variety. 



No better pond than an artificial one of large dimen- 

 sions can be utilized to exhibit the many newer multi- 

 colored varieties of water lilies existing at the present 

 time; they embrace the most beautiful of all colored 

 flowers, and with the tender Nymphaeas we have red, 

 white, blue and vellow and all the intermediate shades 

 of color not found in any class of flowers. 



In many instances artificial ponds, fountain basins, etc., 

 are elaborate in design and workmanship ; this is well and 

 necessary to conform with the architectural design of 

 buildings, etc., but where flowers are wanted — and they 

 are now very much in demand at all seasons — an artificial 

 pond built of concrete will answer the purpose. Select 

 an open spot where sunshine will be very much in evi- 

 dence, yet sheltered from high prevailing winds ; size is 

 not the question, suit yourself according to your wants 

 and necessary accommodation. A pond 10x50x2 feet 

 makes a good sized pond ; but it may be desirable to con- 

 struct a circular or oval-shaped pond. Any desired shape 

 will do so long as there is size and depth enough, but a 

 rectangular pond is more simple of construction, as the 

 forms can he built with straight boards, quite a saving of 

 labor. In any case use reinforcement; heavy wire netting 

 or steel rods, in this way you will have a frost proof and 

 water tight pond. For cut flowers Nelumbiums are very 

 choice, but they are better when grown near home, thus 

 avoiding shipment. All Nelumbiums are good for cut- 

 ting; a pond planted with three, four or more varieties 

 is picturesque, but if wanted for transplanting it would 

 be a difificult matter to pick out the different tubers, as 

 they are all alike, so it is better to keep each variety 

 separate. The following varieties are amongst the best : 

 N. album striatum, N. Pekine ensis, N. Speciosum, N. 

 Shiroman ; the latter is a most magnificent flower, pure 

 white and very durable. 



Amongst the hardy Nymphaeas, strong growers, I 

 would plant N. Eugene de Land, flowers extra large, 

 color deep rose pink; N. Helen Fowler, very deep pink; 

 N. W. B. Shaw, rose pink. These are very fragrant 

 varieties. N. tuberosa maxima, a very fine, pure white. 



