90 How to obtain it. 



a tuft of this plant, in a manner which was exceedingly suggestive 

 of its being a useful accessory to a fish pond. 



The water plantain (Altsma planta^o) is another marginal 

 aquatic, which is very hardy, and invariably succeeds where 

 properly introduced. It also grows freely in shallow water, say 

 up to a foot deep, and, when planted at a depth of two or three 

 feet, produces handsome floating leaves and excellent shelter for 

 fish. Its natural position is at the margin of a pool or in shallow 

 water, but it is well worthy of cultivation a little further into the 

 pond. Should it grow too strongly it is very amenable to cutting, 

 and is improved thereby as an aquatic; though for ornamental 

 purposes, and as an insect producer, it is better to allow the 

 plants full scope. It does not spread too much and can be 

 readily thinned out in summer should such an operation at any 

 time be considered necessary. The flower stems of this plant are 

 rather handsome, and, if cut in September, will last all the winter 

 through, and make handsome adornments for an entrance hall, or 

 the corner of a room, or in smaller tufts, on the mantelpiece or 

 sideboard. 



