86 How to obtain it. 



the plant has been allowed to grow, and also to seed, and in a few 

 years the case has been hopeless. Nothing short of a good clean 

 out would do. Some of the plants of this class are very amenable 

 to cutting, especially if the roots be disturbed at the same time. 

 Care should be taken always to drag out the portions that have 

 been cut. They naturally float and will be driven on to the lee 

 shore of the pond by the wind. 



There are several methods by which weeds may be cut in 

 the ponds ; if properly kept in check, which ought to be the case, 

 there is no difficulty. A simple pruning hook on a long handle 

 used from a boat will do good work in most cases. Sometimes 

 the dragging of a weighted rope or chain over the bottom of a 

 pond is quite sufficient, and I have successfully adopted this plan 

 myself. It is not desirable in cases where it may do harm by 

 dragging out plants that should not be interfered with. Where 

 any of the free growing plants make their appearance naturally, as 

 they sometimes will, it is, however, often very efficacious, and 

 may be the means of preventing the eventual choking up of the 

 pond. It is a good plan in some cases to drag the plants out by 

 the roots, and for this purpose a specially constructed rake may 

 be used. It may be made two feet wide and the teeth four inches 

 long as a rule. Any blacksmith will make one, and the heavier it 

 is the better ; indeed, it is advisable to fasten a heavy iron bar on 

 to it, to keep it well down as it is dragged behind a boat. It may 

 have a bag-net attached, if desired, to pick up the detached weeds, 

 and a more powerful apparatus may be worked from the shore, by 

 means of a stout rope and blocks made fast to a tree or to a stake 

 in the ground. 



The advantage of the rake or drag is, that it can be used in 

 places as may be desirable, whilst other parts of the pond may be 

 left free. When properly handled it makes great havoc of the 

 plants with which it comes in contact. 



Water plants play a very important part in the economy of 

 fish ponds. It is quite possible to maintain a large number of 

 fish in a pond in which no plants are visible, but the difference 

 between fish grown alongside of suitable aquatic vegetation, and 

 those grown in water which is destitute of it, is marked. Where 

 no plants at first sight appear to exist, there is often a considerable 



