SMALL WATER GARDENS 65 



given it the appearance of a small spring, and an easy 

 approach would have constituted it a useful dipping 

 pool. Some inches from the top an outlet would com- 

 municate with the cement channel, so that after using 

 as much water as was necessary for soaking the bog 

 soil, the simple expedient of turning on the supply 

 at the reservoir would refill the dipping tank, causing 

 it to overflow down the channel, and thus refresh the 

 aquatics in the tubs. An overhanging fringe of Hart's- 

 Tongue would look well near the tank, and in the stone- 

 work joints, the common Polypody, the Oak and Beech 

 Ferns would thrive. 



Only plants of small size can be used for these 

 miniature gardens ; everything must be planned on a 

 reduced scale. For the tubs the larger Nymphaeas are, 

 of course, out of the question ; but in one of them we 

 may grow N. pygmaea, a diminutive Lily with white 

 flowers ; in another, the pale yellow variety Helvola, 

 which is a seedling from N. pygmaea, and was raised 

 by M. Latour-Marliac. Pontederia, with arrow-shaped 

 leaves and spikes of blue flowers, would also be suit- 

 able, as would the beautiful Cape Pond-flower (Apono- 

 geton). The leaves lie on the surface of the water, 

 and the white waxy flowers, sweetly scented, are raised 

 slightly above it. There is a pink-flowered variety, 

 roseus. 



In the moist bog soil, Primula farinosa and P. 

 rosea will be found, small patches of the native 

 yellow Saxifrage (S. autumnalis) being placed near the 

 sides of the watercourse. The Bavarian Gentian (G. 

 bavarica), with blossoms of iridescent blue, is like- 

 wise at home in the wet bog. A charming plant for 

 contrast is the dwarf Bunch-berry (C. candensis), dis- 

 tinct as to its cream-coloured bracts and scarlet berries. 

 In sphagnum, the Droseras and the smaller plants 

 mentioned elsewhere can be established. From the 



