70 THE DICTIONARY 
OF GARDENING, 
AQUARTIA. 
see). 
AQUATIC PLANTS. No more beautiful phase of 
gardening can be named than the cultivation of 
Aquatics, though hitherto but little has been done 
by amateurs towards bringing this neglected group of 
plants into prominence, Some of the plants may be 
grown in yery homely appliances, such as old barrels, cut 
in halves and sunk into the ground to within a few inches 
of their tops. For others large earthenware pans will 
suffice, so long as they are protected against frost. Of 
course, for the majority more elaborate vessels and culture 
are needed—large tanks (both indoors and outside), ponds, 
lakes, &e. The literature on the subject is scant, and for 
the bulk of the information here given we are indebted to 
Mr. W. G. Baker’s (of Oxford) contribution to the ‘ Book 
of Gardening.” 
Included under Solanum (which 
Aquatic Plants—continued. . 
Figs. 69 and 70, is the great des‘deratum for exempli- 
fying the admirable effects that can be produced 
by hardy Aquatic Plants when their cultivation is 
as skilfully undertaken as in the case of many other 
things. Even when everything has been carefully done 
that seems to be necessary to ensure establishing 
Nymphzas in large ponds or lakes, they are not then 
entirely free from casual mishaps. For instance, in a 
season of long-continued drought the water may sink to 
an abnormally low depth, and in receding from the plants 
leave their crowns exposed above its surface to endure an 
uncongenial element and its consequences. 
In gardens where a natural lake or pond exists, provided 
it has an ample supply of water and an efficient outlet to 
prevent stagnation, a water garden might be formed, which, 
when judiciously planted, would become permanently 
Fic. 69. THe LAKE at Kew. 
In numerous instances there may be already means at 
hand, in the form of tanks which have been constructed for 
the storage of water, that could be at once utilised for the 
reception of some of the many beautiful hardy Nymphzas 
now so readily obtainable; but it should be remembered 
that, excepting when the tank is of large dimensions, those 
of a neat habit will be preferable for this purpose to 
vigorous-growing kinds. The planting and arranging of 
them are largely discretionary, the use of tubs or boxes 
for the former being a matter of convenience, but in their 
arrangement, as far as practicable, the alternating of dark 
and light shades of colour may be generally depended on to 
produce a pleasing effect during their season of flowering. 
These observations are intended to apply to tanks already 
in existence. 
The possession of ponds or lakes, such as shown at 
interesting and pretty, and in addition to providing a new 
feature, would impart additional beauty to the surroundings. 
It is not unusual to see a stagnant pond overgrown with 
rank vegetation that yearly adds to the decomposing mass 
of vegetable matter in its bed, yet there would probably 
be no great difficulty in converting a pond of this 
description into one of enduring prettiness. The margins 
and banks of streams afford excellent opportunities for 
establishing without much difficulty many plants that, in 
the course of time, would impart a pleasing effect to what 
might previously have been bare, uninteresting, or other- 
wise covered with indigenous coarse-growing vegetation. 
Weeds should be removed as soon as they put in an appear- 
ance, for if allowed to become established, which they 
quickly do, some difficulty may be eventually experienced 
in eradicating them, and then not before they have either 
